Even tribes that have no contact with each other claim to have seen the creature -- or the "mapinguary" -- The New York Times reported. The word mapinguary roughly translates into "the roaring animal" or "the fetid beast."

Accounts of the giant animal are widespread and consistent, the Times reported -- so consistent that in recent years, a few groups of scientists have led expeditions to try to find the mapinguary.

They haven't found it so far.

The mapinguary is said to dwell in the most remote parts of the Amazon. Those who claim to have seen it describe it as a part human and part sloth creature that is aggressive toward others and emits a powerfully unpleasant odor, the Times reported.