The Discovery Channel investigated Iowa’s famed “Van Meter Monster” and called in Russ Benedict, Central College professor of biology, to understand one possible explanation.

Benedict explains:
“For decades, people in central Iowa have reported seeing a mysterious night creature with some of the characteristics of a bat. As an expert in Midwestern bats, I was asked by producers of the Discovery Channel show “Expedition X” to help them learn more about bats as a way of potentially solving this mystery”
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Always eager to give bats good publicity, Benedict took a filming crew out to try to catch bats this spring. The hosts of the show were enthusiastic to see and learn about these mysterious animals.

Expedition X featuring the bats of Marion County airs tonight at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. on the Discovery Channel.