The Indian army has had an avalanche of mocking messages after it posted images of what it claimed were Yeti footprints.
Largely regarded by the scientific community as a myth, the Yeti, or abominable snowman, is part of Nepali folklore and is said to live high in the snow-capped Himalayas.
In a tweet accompanied by pictures, the Indian army said members of its mountaineering expedition team had discovered footprints measuring 32×15 inches (81x38cm) close to a camp near Mount Makalu.
The discovery was made on 9 April, but officials were waiting to verify details with previous sightings.
However, instead of receiving worldwide recognition for its discovery, the team has been mercilessly mocked with “Yeti” now trending on Twitter in India.
One user posted: “Seems like a one-legged Yeti.”
And keeping with that theme, a second tweeted: “What the hell is wrong with you guys? Just look at those pics for heaven’s sake. That’s not a bipedal. Couldn’t you guys call a single animal expert before posting this?”
Another wrote: “Seriously disappointing to see army propagating such foolish myths into reality. Expected better from you guys.”
Tales of a wild hairy beast roaming the Himalayas have captured the imagination of climbers in Nepal since the 1920s, prompting many, including Sir Edmund Hillary, to go looking for the creature.
‘Seems like a one-legged Yeti,’ one Twitter user commented
In 2008, Japanese climbers returning from a mountain in western Nepal claimed to have seen footprints, which they thought belonged to the Yeti.
Despite carrying long-lens cameras, video cameras and telescopes, they did not see or take any photographs of the creature.
Scientists have found little evidence of its existence so far.
In 2008, two men in the United States claimed to have found the remains of a half-man, half-ape, which was eventually revealed to be a rubber gorilla suit.
