Loren Coleman

Loren Coleman

Foja Mountains’ “Lost World” Mammals

Martua Sinaga holds this 1.4 kg giant rat that is probably a species new to science. Photo by Bruce M Beehler On Sunday night, December 16, 2007, the CBS program “60 Minutes” ran a segment on the research discoveries of Bruce M. Beehler in Indonesia’s remote Foja Mountains of western New Guinea. The discovery of this so-called “lost world” was a media event earlier on February 7, 2007 (see here). A probable new species of pygmy possum in the genus Cercartetus (Pygmy Possum). Photo by Bruce M Beehler The earlier media treatments of the findings had gotten somewhat overblown (see [...]

Beast of Bolivia Track

What is it? Felid? Canid? Unknown? Identify the mystery imprint. The first image shown is the track of the so-called “Beast of Bolivia.” The following ones are various felid, canid, and other track images shown for comparison. What do you think the animal is that made the first track? The Beast of Bolivia imprint compared to a human hand. Dog track. Puma or mountain lion track. Comparison of felid tracks. Canid vs felid tracks. Felid vs canid tracks. Bear tracks. Coyote tracks. Coyote tracks. Raccoon track. Otter tracks. Thanks to “Mnynames” for pointing out where to find the first image.

Water Horse, Nessie, and Sex

Adrian Shine, whom I understand is English not Scottish, was on NBC’s “Today Show” on Friday, December 14th. The guy almost sounded like a true believer from the Highlands. He was there to talk about the evidence for the Loch Ness Monster, and to promote the new movie, The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep, opening on Christmas Day. Being part Scottish, I’ve always liked the name “Water Horse” for these critters, and used it a good deal in one of my cryptozoology field guides. I think the “Water Horse” theory makes a lot of sense, and I was delighted [...]

Beast of Bolivia

A mystery killer, called the “Beast of Bolivia,” after the location of Bolivia, North Carolina, is said to be terrorizing the area. Bolivia is situated on the border with South Carolina. A total of 148 people in 45 families reside in the town. (Update: Click on Beast of Bolivia Track to view the alleged imprint of this cryptid.) An unknown predator mauled a pit bull and killed two puppies in Brunswick County, and residents fear it’s the same animal that killed three dogs in September [2007]. No one has reported ever seeing the animal. The county’s animal control agency investigated [...]

Paddington & Yeti