Giant snapping turtle ‘Chonkosaurus’ evidence of a much cleaner Chicago River

Footage of this large snapping turtle, relaxing along the Chicago River, has gone viral. Joey Santore, who filmed the well-fed reptile, marveled at its size and nicknamed it “Chonkosaurus.” (Joey Santore/Distributed by the Associated Press)

The man behind the viral video of a huge snapping turtle nicknamed “Chonkosaurus” catching sunbeams along the Chicago River said the sighting points to the improving health of the historically polluted waterway.

Joey Santore and his friend Al Scorch were kayaking and filming a video on plants growing along the river when they came upon the massive reptile lounging on the water near Goose Island.