Item #: SCP-XXXX
Object Class: Euclid
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| Rock garden located within SCP-257. |
Special Containment Procedures: Because SCP-XXXX is believed to be immobile, the four buildings that compose Site-93 have been set up surrounding SCP-XXXX, which is in turn enclosed by a two-meter high electric fence. Biological specimens are to be immediately removed from SCP-XXXX upon recovery and subsequently examined, described, and logged. Biological specimens are to be placed in one of Site 93’s temporary holding pens for study and threat classification. If researchers identify specimens they deem worthy of further research, personnel are to follow appropriate acquisition protocols by filling out form J-24. Specimens are otherwise sent to Bio-Site 29 for storage and long-term care.
Description: SCP-XXXX is an abandoned zoological garden and park located in █████, China. Several plaques describe the zoo as "His Majesty Emperor Zaitian's Imperial Bestiary". The zoo itself was allegedly founded by a "Wu Weilun" in the year 1875, described as a naturalist, philosopher, and explorer. According to several plaques found within SCP-XXXX, the purpose of this building is to “educate the learned of the many animals inhabiting faraway lands and times and provide the Emperor the pleasure of gazing upon the many beasts of the worlds." No permits, building licences, or planning permissions have been found that correspond to the location or appearance of SCP-XXXX. No photographs of the area indicate the existence of SCP-257 until █/██/20██.
At irregular intervals, animals will appear within the zoo’s confines through an unknown manner. These animals appear in the various enclosures at random intervals. Simultaneously, a manual written in traditional Chinese appears at the entrance of the zoo. These guides detail the proper care and feeding of each organism and sometimes reveal information about its origin and acquisition. The animals vary widely in appearance, behaviour, and classification. Many do not appear to be related to any terrestrial animals. Several of these guides are addressed to a "Tai Suhei", although no such individual exists in the Foundation. There does not appear to be any schedule as to when these animals are delivered. See Acquisition Log W-2123 for a complete list of animals delivered in the past ██ years.
SCP-257 was brought to the attention of the Foundation on █/██/20██, when residents of ██████ a rural village located approximately 2 kilometers away from SCP-257, recieved hand-written notes (believed to have been written using wooden movable type) attached to their doors written in traditional Chinese advertising SCP-257. Agent ███████, passing through the area in pursuit of SCP-███, contacted the Foundation. On ██/██/20██ Mobile Task Force Gamma-3 secured the area and administered amnesiacs to individuals who had witnessed SCP-257 or any media related to SCP-257. On ██/██/20██, Site 93 was established and security protocols were initiated.
[[collapsible show=" Extended Acquisitions log as of █/██/█████ " hide="Close"]]
Date Acquired: 09/15/20██
Species: unknown, described as “odiferous creature of the caves”.
Description: Three large (approx.15 ft long) ground-dwelling invertebrates protected by chitinous armour. No eyes present, but several highly developed antennae and vibrissae indicate highly developed senses of smell and touch. When threatened, it releases a noxious gas composed of eight volatile components, creating a foul smell.
Current Status: Stored at Bio-Site 29.
Exerpt from Manual 091520:
“Even here, the balance between predator and prey is . Deprived of eyes, this organism insead reacts to threatening stimuli with a unique chemical defense like that of the skunk. If any individual were born without such a defense, they would be swiftly quashed by the cave insect's natural predators. […] Store in large,dark habitat mimicking a limestone cave. They enjoy eating loose topsoil lined with potassium- I believe that they consume small organisms and fungi as they churn the soil.”
Date Acquired: 09/21/20██
Species: unknown, described as “dimpled tunnel-worm”
Description: Large (approx. 20 ft long) soft-bodied invertebrate similar to an earthworm. Though it possesses no eyes, the creature is extremely sensitive to vibrations. It is believed to hunt by tracking vibrations and smelling prey with the eight large spiracles that surround its mouth.
Current status: Stored at Bio-Site 29. Possible relocation to Site ██ pending as growth rates increase.
Excerpt from Manual 092120:
“Though it rarely surfaces, an adult tunnelworm breaching the topsoil is an awe-inspiring sight, a more splendid creature than the lowly earthworm to which it resembles. During my stay on [REDACTED], I witnessed several tunnelworms surface and deposit eggs to be fertilized in typical invertebrate fashion. I believe that this courtship behaviour has something to do with the solar eclipse that occurred that day, as very few animals on this world ever leave the large caverns in which they make their homes. It is possible that baby tunnelworms spend their lives in the uppermost layers of soil, with few predators to menace them […] Capturing this beast proved to be a chore. We eventually lured an infant specimen out into a cavern by dragging a dead cave crab through a tunnel, while also pounding on the cavern wall with a mallet! Restraining the beast should be easy enough provided that it is given ample food and soil- I suspect that waste meat can provide a temporary substitute for wild bugbladders. The three cave insects that I have already sent to you should be kept well away from this one, as you should no doubt realize.”
Date Acquired: 09/27/20██
Species: unknown, described as “Zeng’s cave crab”
Description: Two large invertebrates (approx. 2 feet in diameter), superficially resembling a brachyurid crustacean. Possesses ten limbs, with four (4) of these limbs adapted into grasping appendages with a rudimentary “thumb” and two “fingers”. Primarily aquatic. Specimen spends long periods of time in a sedentary state at the bottom of its containment tank without need of food.
Current status: Stored at Bio-site 29. 11/11/20██, the two organisms reproduced via external fertilization. Several days later, one subject (believed to be female) killed and ate her mate. Specimen was relocated to a larger tank. Eggs remain under study.
Excerpt from Manual 092720:
“Cave crabs seem to live largely sedentary lives, spending most of their time lying motionless on the shores of the underground lakes waiting for prey, which is then dissected, almost clinically, by their four claws. Cave crabs seem to grow to the limits of their environment; the largest cave crab we encountered measured almost fourteen meters across and had become covered with bioluminescent fungi. Cave crabs prey primarily on aquatic invertebrates and I suspect that a suitable alternative in captivity would include crayfish or krill. Despite living on another world, Zeng’s cave crab (so named after my colleague and friend Chenglei Zeng) seems to have taken the same shape as many of our crabs. Is this the process of the gods, who have populated space and time with only the most efficient and well-designed creatures, or have natural pressures moulded two unrelated organisms into shapes that fit a similar niche? The philosophers of Beijing posit the former, but as I continue my expeditions I begin to suspect the latter.”
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| A herd of dwarf elephants in temporary containment as of 04/23/20██, |
Date Acquired: 11/20/20██
Species: Elephas spp. unknown, possibly antiquus Described as "tiny island giants"
Description: A group of four miniature elephants, (approx. 0.9 m high). Genetic sequencing reveals closest living relative to be Elephas maximus, the Asian elephant, with a divergence time between 1 million and 700,000 years ago
Current status: Briefly retained by Dr. ██████ for study. Now stored at Bio-site 29.
Excerpt from Manual 112020:
"I encountered four of these marvellous little creatures early this morning as they passed by my camp. Despite their skittish nature, they seemed to be very curious about my tent and explored it gingerly with their trunks […] If elephants on the mainland (so I am led to surmise) survive predation by virtue of their intimidating size and strength, then it seems peculiar that elephants on this island have given up their unique heritage which distinguishes the elephants from the many other beasts of the field. Are there no predators on this island capable of menacing these odd dwarfs? I shall ponder this mystery further while I prepare some tea […] It should not be hard to care for these animals; a downsized version of any elephant fence should contain them adequately. They seem to be fond of beach grass.
Date Acquired: 13/20/20██
Species: Possibly Varanus spp., possibly komodoensis. Described as "island dragon".
Description: Extremely large monitor lizard (approx. 4.5 m long), believed to be a close relative of the Komodo dragon. Hunts in a similar method to modern day Komodo dragons by incapacitaing live prey with infected saliva.
Current status: Stored at Bio-site 29.
Excerpt from Manual 132020:
"As soon as I laid eyes upon this reptilian predator devouring the carcass of a pygmy elephant, I was forced to reconsider my earlier hypothesis. This beast bears a strange similarity to the dragons of legend- perhaps our ancestors encountered similar creatures as they settled Zhanjiang, creating stories and myths about these outsized predators. I noticed another dragon chasing what appears to be a small ape of elfin proportions. I hope to capture one of these elusive primates within the week."
Date Acquired: 11/11/20██
Species: Dinornis spp., possibly robustus
Description:Believed to be a moa egg. Delivered wrapped in cloth (believed to be woven from silk-based fibre) and grass.
Current status: Under incubation at Bio-site 29.
Excerpt from manual 111120:
"Moa farming has risen in popularity in Korea and parts of Vietnam […] the meat, bland on its own, is best served in the Sichuan style, fried with peppers. These ungainly birds, deprived of their powers of flight, harbor no fear of humans. Like ducklings shedding their feathers, do populations of animals discard traits no longer required? With few predators on this island, birds no longer need to fly to escape. Once flying in flocks, moas now stride in herds."
Date Acquired: 9/21/20██
Species: Unknown, described as "red-plain runners"
Description: Three large, herbivorous hexapedal vertebrates. Possess chitinous armor and mouthparts similar to an arthropod's. Capable of producing rasping sounds by rubbing its forlimbs together.
Current status: Stored at Bio-site 29. Unfertilized egg sac removed from now-presumed female.
Excerpt from manual 92120:**
"These animals travel in enormous herds while in the wild, stretching across the horizon. […] A herd of these magnificent creatures traversing the floodplains of the Martian savannah rivals the greatest terrestrial migrations of wildebeest or ceratopsid. I believe that they could be farmed easily in the northern lands bordering Mongolia, they are docile and easily herded by even the most inexperienced shepherd. Their meat is rich and succulent; when fried correctly, it tastes similar to succulent crab meat."
Date Acquired: 3/1/20██
Species: Unknown, believed to be a hominid. No description given.
Description: Two large hominds (approx. 2 m tall). Body structure indicates formal bipedalim adapted into semi-digitigrade mode of locomotion. Male possesses a fleshy wattle akin to a howler monkey's (Alouatta spp.) used as a resonating chamber.
Current status: Stored at Bio-Site 29. Male died on ██/██/██ due to complications relating to Containment Breach 29-Epsilon. (see document 29E12 for full incident report)
Excerpt from manual 3120:
This forest and the surrounding river deltas seem to be ruled by strange variations of men […] large men-creatures such as these spend most of their day placidly chewing bamboo shoots. Other men-creatures live in the trees, while I have watched sleek grey forms akin to dolphins or otters hunt in the rivers, grasping at fish with opposable thumbs. I have yet to encounter another man like myself. Could all of these multitudinous forms have sprung from a singular organism? Grotesque in visage as they are, I cannot help but wonder at the diversity of this forest. The patrons of the Imperial Zoo will not see the splendor of these bizarre creatures in their natural habitat, but I can provide the second best experience.
Date Acquired: 3/23/20██
Species: Unknown, believed to be a hominid. No description given.
Description: Four infant quadrupedal hominids with humanoid faces. Hands show sign of former plantigrade locomotion adapted into an organ for digitigrade running. Theory of a largely carnivorous diet is evidenced by the presence of long incisors developing in baby animals.
Current status: Stored at Bio-Site 29.
Excerpt from manual 32320:
Apologies for the delay, but I have encountered a village on the outskirts of the forest. The people, queer-looking as they are (they possess no hair, and seem to assess every matter with a preternatural calm), speak a language and build huts. They keep several men-creatures as companions and as livestock, as distasteful as a concept this may be. […] They were impressed by my musket and my [REDACTED], and invited me to partake in a meal of freshly procured meat, an opportunity which I politely declined. Though I tried to explain to them that this land would soon be property of the Emperor, I do not know if I properly conveyed my message. These four specimens were given to me as a parting gift. The men here breed these animals as companions like we do with our dogs and cats, and I suspect that similar care and treatment is recommended for these infant creatures.
