Hundreds of people said they saw a huge ophidian creature in Lake Storsjon, in north-west of Emthland province.
The mythic monster which was considered to live at dark depths of Swedish lake is now wild fowl for those who could find it. Officials agreed to strike the monster off the list of endangered species protected by the state.
Stories by "eye-witnesses" persuaded local officials to put the monster on the list of protected animals in 1986.
But government ministry defied that decision saying such protection unlikely necessary for the creature which existence was not proved.
Regional board agreed to strike off the local "Red Book" this month but refused to admit that it does not exist.
Information about so called monster from Storsjon was published in 1635 for the first time. About 175 reported sightings over the last 400 years have described the monster variously as five to 15 metres long; serpent-like, or plump; grey, green or red in colour; with a head like a dog or like a fish; making a wailing, or perhaps it was a rattling, noise.
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