In the summer of 2006, during the investigation of the “dead animal on the Turner road,” which was blamed for the killings and injuries to dogs and livestock in central Maine for the last decade, an interesting piece of evidence turned up missing. It was the mystery creature’s skull (above). Having the skull would have clearly told us the animal was a dog, without going through all the DNA testing. Now the skull has surfaced again for television. The carcass that Mark LaFlamme and I examined (below) only a few days after its discovery was headless. But we knew the [...]
Men in Cryptozoology: Doug Hajicek
Face Time: Doug Hajicek of MonsterQuest Doug Hajicek is creator of the History Channel’s MonsterQuest, a 13-part weekly series that “reveals the truth of legendary monster sightings around the world.” It’s his quest to explain the unexplained. Hajicek is known for his productions of “The Man Who Walks with Bears” for Animal Planet, Discovery Channel’s “Legend Meets Science” and the History Channel’s “Giganto: The Real King Kong.” This Wednesday, Hajicek’s MonsterQuest comes to central Maine. The show will examine the mystery of mutant canines, with a special focus on the Turner Beast found in August 2006. Producers also examine a [...]
Cryptozoology in the Medieval World
I have been in New York City for two days, but I have left various items to be posted in my absence, as you have been seeing. I could not be away without, at least, leaving an intellectual contribution to be posted at the start time of my talk at the American Museum of Natural History. For those looking for an extremely thoughtful discussion of the history of cryptozoology, you may download the following paper here: Cryptozoology in the Medieval and Modern Worlds.
Fedoras Ready? Indiana Jones Returns
The forthcoming film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom and the Crystal Skull is set to open May 22, 2008. Cryptozoologists, dust off your fedoras and keep informed here. (Please be forewarned, if you are at work or in a library, the opening page has loud theme music.) Set in 1957, the new movie centers around the mysterious crystal skulls (a well-known Fortean mystery), and pits Indiana Jones against agents of the Soviet Union. Because there is such a “closed door” policy on the plot, the only sure thing seems to be the diversity of the settings: Marshall College, Mexico, South [...]
Mokele Kidnapping?
What happened on the shores of Lisbon Falls that shook me to my core? I was shocked by the point of reference shown in the midst of this melodrama. I certainly can die now. My legacy has been set in video at YouTube. Performance art, cryptofiction cinema, or just incredibly funny? What have I inspired? +++++ An additional comment, perhaps even a clarification: All joking aside, I feel humbled that these creative young people would construct a passion play, complete with imagined scenarios and out-of-place accents, using my book as a prop. It is wonderful to see this unfold in [...]
That Mangy Bear: The Final Word
This somewhat comedic video is from Blake “DoctorAtlantis” Smith, who introduces it thusly: “I have posted a follow-up video based on several remarks from [pro-'juvenile Sasquatch'] posters. I think this video, while still mildly sarcastic, does contain some good analytic data.” {Warning: Loud music soundtrack.}
Women Take On Bigfoot
On MonsterQuest on Wednesday, November 28, 2007, it is all women on the track of “Bigfoot.” The show’s description has this to say: “Bigfoot has been sighted in Washington State more than any other place on earth. Join an all-female expedition as they try to lure a Bigfoot within range of their cameras. The 1967 Patterson footage will be reexamined using digital microscopes that could reveal details that might prove if the beast is real or a hoax.” I asked one of the members of the expedition, Monica Rawlins for some details. Her answers to my questions are below: Loren: [...]
2010 Olympics Mascots Go Crypto
The 2010 Olympics are taking on a decidedly cryptozoological slant with two of their three official mascots being partially based on cryptids. There is no doubt that the Sasquatch-influenced Quatchi and the weird Bear-Thunderbird-Guardian Spirit Sumi will give us much to ponder as these games get closer. I especially look forward to seeing what kind of Quatchi cultural and souvenir Sasquatch spillovers these British Columbian events will produce. But why the boots? Doesn’t that kind of defeat the fun of leaving big footprints behind?
Cryptozoology in New York City
A week from today, on Saturday, December 1, 2007, I will be giving my talk, “Introduction to Cryptozoology,” at 1:00 PM, at the American Museum of Natural History, New York City, New York, in conjunction with their current exhibition, Mythic Creatures. I look forward to meeting many of you who plan to attend. I won’t be able to sell any books there, of course. However, I understand the AMNH museum shop is carrying copies of Cryptozoology A to Z (NY: Simon and Schuster, 1999). I will be happy to sign your personal copies of that book or any you might [...]
Holmes & the Lost World
The four day weekend is turning into a monster. No time to yourself. The turkey sandwiches, turkey stew, and turkey anything are getting old. The cries to go shopping are reaching new heights. All the football games were too predictable. There’s not been a good Sasquatch flap or decent African dinosaur report all year. Otters, fox squirrels, and mangy bears are haunting your dreams. You need a short break from “Black Friday,” (traditionally those 24 hours after Thanksgiving in which the malls are filled with holiday shoppers looking for cryptid replicas and supposedly other things). How about a cryptofiction journey [...]
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