"The hunt is on to find out if a bloodthirsty crocodile is lurking in the River Lea.
A reptile or possible a monstrously large fish or an alligator could have been responsible for snatching a large Canada goose from the river, near the Lea Interchange on the Stratford border with Leyton.
Since then reports have come in that the peckish beast may be taking its pick from the river's rich menu of wildlife.
Five cygnets have been reported missing to the Lea Rivers Trust and tales of dogs being snatched from the riverbank are doing the rounds among local fishermen.
Extra weight was also thrown behind the speculation this week by an eyewitness to the attack.
Mark Gallant, Lea Rivers Trust conservation officer, was on a boat when the creature of the deep struck. He said it was not impossible that a crocodile or even an alligator could be responsible for the bird's untimely demise.
The wildlife expert said: "It is a possibility. In the past we have found some unexpected creatures in the river. I have seen red eared terrapins and certain species of turtle in this waterway. I wouldn't rule it out."
Yesterday Guardian staff took their lives into their hands when they set out up river with Mr Gallant.
But not everyone was so keen to snap up the rumours.
An expert zoologist, Richard Freeman of Exeter, read our story on the internet and called in to suggest that a large catfish, similar to the giant specimen found in Barcelona this week, could be the culprit.
Mr Freeman, of the Centre for Fortean Zoology, investigated a similar case in the Martin Mere lake, a wildfowl reserve in Lancashire, in July 2002. Birdwatchers had seen fully grown swans attacked and dragged underwater by a mysterious predator and his investigations led him to believe it was an 8ft long giant wels catfish."
i wonder if they'll catch anything
