Men in Cryptozoology

Hebei vs Hubei Yerens

Eli Harrington, who is a communications volunteer this summer working in China, has recently returned from exploring some little known Yeren sites. One of the Chinese posters used in local villagers to encourage eyewitnesses to tell Yeren researchers about their sightings. Chinese researcher Yuan Zhenxin with the cast of an alleged Yeren from Hubei province’s Shennogjia Nature Reserve. While in China, Harrington took a few side trips to see the crypto-parts and other wonders of the country. Highlights he has mentioned include the horseback riding in the Mongolian grasslands, archery/airsoft gun games, the Buddhist temple with world’s largest wooden Buddha, [...]

Colloque Européen de Cryptozoologie

An exciting cryptozoological conference is taking place in Europe in September. There will be rare appearance from Russia by Dr. Marie-Jeanne Koffmann and M. Michael Trachtengerts. Details are to be found in French and some English below. Bonsoir à tous, Il est grand temps de remplir vos bulletins d’inscription au colloque : la date limite arrive à grands pas !!! Comme je l’ai dit, pourquoi ne pas venir en groupe pour diminuer les frais de voyage. Si vous en faite la demande une fois que vous serez inscrits, je vous mettrai en contact avec les gens qui viennent de votre [...]

World’s Tiniest Lizard

I mentioned here on Sunday night the discovery of the world’s smallest snake. The discoverer is Blair Hedges, Ph. D., of Penn State. Boing boing’s David Pescovitz points out that: “Evolutionary biologist Blair Hedges has great luck with tiny herps. In 2001, he co-discovered the world’s smallest lizard on an island off the coast of the Dominican Republic.” Sphaerodactylus ariasae Hedges and Richard Thomas, a biologist at the University of Puerto Rico, discovered small groups of the new lizard species living in a sink hole and a cave in a partially destroyed forest on the remote island of Beata, which [...]

Not Bigfoot vs the IRS

When weird meets the IRS By Kathryn Skelton , Staff Writer Saturday, August 2, 2008 Loren Coleman wants to make it clear: This isn’t Bigfoot versus the Internal Revenue Service. Sure, Coleman, the author of books on [Bigfoot, cryptozoology,] Mothman and a field guide to lake monsters and sea serpents [& another field guide on Bigfoot], has spent the last year as the subject of an IRS audit. He first had to convince the federal government there is such a thing as cryptozoology; and that, yes, it’s possible to dedicate a museum to mostly yet-to-be-found creatures. But he’s trying to [...]

Kids & Cryptozoology: Alberta Style

I enjoy leading workshops with children, of course, because future cryptozoologists are out there. Recently, in Alberta, some kids got to attend a “dragons day camp.” While there, I spoke to them about cryptozoology on a Monday. Here I am, looking as if a wood bison is about ready to charge me. What’s so incredible about having so many taxidermy-available wood bison in one place is that the Royal Alberta Museum even has one in their children’s classroom. I was honored to be able to write “Cryptozoology” on the work board, as a wood bison graced the same space. Here’s [...]

Secrets of Room N008

You remember the scene from the end of the first Indiana Jones movie? Recall the endless rows of boxes in storage in that secret warehouse? Of course, the reality is that most large museums around the world actually do have such storage areas. The “outfront” exhibits at most museums are impressive. But, for example, I was reminded quickly in Alberta, once again, that less than 10% of the holdings of a museum are what the public sees. The Columbian mammoth is on exhibit in Alberta with other Pleistocene mammals. When I visited the Royal Alberta Museum, the director of Communications, [...]