ElectronicTree
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Initial contact with instance of SCP-XXXX-1; Melbourne,Australia (05.08.1996)

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Euclid Safe

Special Containment Procedures: As of ██.██.2005, SCP-XXXX-1 has been sufficiently integrated into the public perception of normalcy to avoid a breach of containment. Given SCP-XXXX's stationary nature, the object has been deemed Safe. - Dr. Simmons

SCP-XXXX is to be sectioned off of public access under the guise of a perpetual Oak processionary moth infestation within an area of 2 square kilometers around 36°██'██.█"S 147°██'██.██"E. Mobile Research Site 48 is to maintain wire fencing around the pond on which SCP-XXXX is located. The research staff is to be accompanied by 2 armed guards at all times. Annualy, on March 1st, a netting is to be constructed around the object in order to intercept spawned instances. Newly generated fauna is to be checked for phenotypical or genotypical abnormalities and studied or detained on site if deemed appropriate by the current Head Researcher. Please refer to the Incident Log below for further information.

Over the course of the X years since initial contact has been established with SCP-XXXX-1, an extensive disinformation campaign has been launched to retroactively cement SCP-XXXX-1 as a long documented, non anomalous member of the class Mammalia,given the difficulty of regular containment of the estimated 100000 instances of SCP-XXXX-1 currently roaming large parts of Australia. Such efforts include widespread use of amnestics following the initial breach, the fabrication of sources pointing to SCP-XXXX-1's long documented existence and the dissuasion of further research into the origins of SCP-XXXX-1 through means of embedded research personnel within key organisations.

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Excerpt from the fabricated "Creatures of the South" (1805)

Description: SCP-XXXX is a fully grown instance of Ficus macrophylla of indeterminate1 age.
Unlike other members of the family Moraceae, SCP-XXXX develops fruit-shaped growths that consist primarily of calcium carbonate. This behavior has been observed to begin at the meteorological start of a year's Spring season. Once a growth reaches a circumference of roughly 80 centimeters, a random lifeform will hatch. Growth development and further hatching has been observed to last anywhere from 4 weeks to 5 months.
Generated creatures are aquatic,amphibian or avian in nature and will emerge as fully formed adults, either escaping into the small lake surrounding SCP-XXXX or taking flight. Biological matter native to SCP-XXXX has been observed to spontaneously disappear from the lake. To date, no attempts at tracking the whereabouts of such animals or samples have been successful as transmitting devices get left behind in the process. Due to SCP-XXXX-1's considerable spread from the source, a random translocation to habitable bodies of water has been theorized.
The generated lifeforms are non anomalous members of established species in 99.98% of cases. Other instances bear inconsistent traits such as missing or altered appendages, new tissues and organs not found in the original species or elshewhere and apparent amalgamations of baseline fauna2.

SCP-XXXX-1 is what has been established as Ornithorhynchus anatinus. SCP-XXXX-1 is unique in its widespread occurence. It is yet to be determined whether SCP-XXXX-1 hatched from multiple growths, unlike all other observed specimen, or whether SCP-XXXX-1's genetic makeup overrides that of sufficiently suitable, non anomalous mates.

Addendum:

Addendum: On 11.09.2007, Junior Researcher ██████ noted similarities between SCP-XXXX and the medieval concept of a"Barnacle Tree".

Barn

Artist's interpretation of the "Barnacle Tree" (1409)

Though the most likely explanation lies in the discovery of SCP-XXXX during the Middle Ages, it is unclear how European explorers got into contact with SCP-XXXX. Research into possible further instances of SCP-XXXX is ongoing. Due to the circumstances of the time period, depictions and stories pertaining to SCP-XXXX aren't considered a risk to information security.

Addendum: