Cryptozoology
Translated, the scientific discipline of cryptozoology literally means "the study of hidden animals." Cryptozoologists study animals that are as yet undescribed by science. (e.g. bigfoot/sasquatch, Loch Ness Monster) I was a member of the now-defunct International Society of Cryptozoology, a professional organization that consisted of scientists from all over the world conducting cryptozoological research. Their peer-reviewed scientific journal, Cryptozoology, was a wealth of information on a variety of appropriate scientific endeavors. My personal interests in this field focus on the existence of a large, terrestrial hominid in North America (i.e. Bigfoot/Sasquatch).
What is Bigfoot/Sasquatch?
Well, if anyone knew for sure, they'd be the center of a huge media blitz and the keynote speaker at scores of scientific conferences. The term "Bigfoot" (or "Sasquatch" in Canada) refers to the numerous reports of a large (usually 8' to 10' tall), hairy homonid being sighted in North America over the last 300 years. These sightings (some several thousand have been documented by researchers) have been reported by many types of people (not just "local yokels"), including law enforcement and military personnel.
Okay, okay...but what is it, then??
Well, several theories have been proposed by Bigfoot researchers over the
last twenty years. The first is the most widely accepted hypothesis
by scientific professionals, but other possibilities that have been proposed
are also listed below as "food for thought."
(Source: Bartholomew, et al. 1992. Monsters of the Northwoods. North Country Books, Utica, NY. 136 pgs.)
What do you think?
Everyone has their own opinion as to what Bigfoot is. In
examining many of the accounts and other evidence collected by researchers,
I've yet to become completely comfortable with any one of the above
hypotheses, since some of the information already collected doesn't always
fit one singular theory. (Although the lion's share of the data I've examined
points to #1.) In talking to several professionals involved in this
research, it appears that some are dead-set on one of the above hypotheses
(and are seemingly willing to "pidgeon-hole" data to make it fit their theory)
while others, although having a preferred explanation, are open to
a combination of or other suggestions by colleagues.
In speaking with many "laypeople" on this topic, I've realized there are a lot of questions about Bigfoot out there. People are curious about Bigfoot. They ask a lot of legitmate questions. That being the case, I've decided to create a resource that seems to be growing in popularity with vistors to this site:
CLICK HERE FOR THE
RECOMMENDED CRYPTOZOOLOGICAL READING
Here are some of the Cryptozoological works that have been published in recent years tha I have had a chance to review. (For books specifically on Bigfoot, go to the Bigfoot FAQ page.)
ARMENT, Chad. The Search for Enigmatic Animals. (Chad Arment: Ohio, 1995). A small publication that has lots of interesting tips of cryptozoological investigation, ranging from historical investigation to networking to FOIA requests. A nice tool for investigators.
BILLE, Matthew A. Rumors of Existence. (Hancock House: Washington, 1995). A pretty thorough review of a variety of cryptozoological specimens, including recent discoveries and those already presumed extinct. If it's a cryptid, it's probably mentioned here.
COHEN, Daniel. The Encyclopedia of Monsters. (Dorset Press: New York, 1982). A prolific paranormal author, Cohen's book is a bit dated, but still a solid edition to one's cryptozoological library.
COLEMAN, Loren. Mysterious
America: The Revised Edition (Paraview: New York, 2001). One original
and three mostly new, important chapters exist in this book related to North
American-based hominoid accounts. They are "Mystery Kangaroos and Devil Monkeys,"
"Eastern Bigfoot: Momo and Marked Hominids," "The North American Ape," and
"Minnesota Iceman."
COLEMAN, Loren & CLARK, Jerome. Cryptozoology A to Z: The Encyclopedia of Loch Monsters, Sasquatch, Chupacabras, and Other Authentic Mysteries of Nature (Simon and Schuster: New York, 1999). Many entries and the timeline chart give good contextual frames of reference for the total study of hominology in general, and Bigfoot, specifically.
RIGGS, Rob. In the Big Thicket: On the Trail of the Wild Man. (Paraview Press: New York, 2001). A journalist's chronicling of paranormal accounts from Big Thicket National Preserve in Texas, including ghost lights and hairy hominid sightings.
SHUKER, Karl P. N. From Flying Toads to Snakes With Wings. (Llewellyn Publications: Minnesota, 1997). This compilation of cryptozoological articles from the U.K.'s FATE magazine discusses nearly a score of the most popular cryptids.
MY RESEARCH
My library on this topic is slowly growing, and someday I hope to have enough free time to sit down manipulate the mountain of Bigfoot sighting data to detect analytical trends. I also have a neat footprint cast (16" in length) of an alleged Sasquatch in my study - it was collected by Roger Patterson (yes, the same individual who shot the infamous Bigfoot footage in 1967) in Bluff Creek, CA in 1964. Say what you want about a guy with a bigfoot track cast in his study, but let me tell you, it's been a great conversation piece.
So, do you believe in Bigfoot or what? Well, being a scientist who has impartially examined a lot of evidence and spoken with those investigating Bigfoot on a full-time basis, I've come to the conclusion that the existence of this creature is indeed probable. But it's not a matter of "believing" in Bigfoot, folks....it's a scientific responsibility to prove (or disprove) it's existence.
It's kind of amusing to think that millions of people can readily accept the existence of God without any direct evidence to verify that claim. In fact, many folks can be heard lamenting that God's existence is questionable given the many atrocities in contemporary life. (This is not a theological discussion, however, and I'm getting "off topic"...)
Skeptics will tell you that the thousands of Bigfoot reports are hoaxes, misidenitifications, etc. Bear in mind (no pun intended) that sightings date back to colonial times, and witnesses represent people from all walks of life. These sightings (numbering in the thousands) span several centuries as well as continents. Many eyewitnesses have very little to gain by reporting this information (and in the case of public servants and law enforcement officers, very much to lose). Let's be extremely conservative and just assume for a moment that 99% of all sightings on record can be explained away as phenomena other than a "real" Bigfoot (e.g. hoaxes, misidentifications). What does one do about the remaining one percent? Dr. Grover Krantz, late anthropologist, stated in his book Big Footprints, that if just one of the thousands of reports are true, then the creature must, by deductive reasoning, exist.
Another famous practicioner of deductive reasoning put it another way:
"When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." - Sherlock Holmes
Stay tuned.