Bilk

Magazine Overview

Bilk #65, published in May 1995 by Ulrich Magin from Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany, is a newsletter focusing on unusual discoveries and phenomena. Subscriptions cost DM 15 for Europe and DM 20 for the rest of the world, with a note advising to send bank notes due to high cashing fees for US cheques.

The cover illustration depicts two motorways crossing at Bilk, a Düsseldorf quarter, and not a sea serpent as might be expected.

Behemoth

The issue begins with a report from Sachsenheim, Germany, detailing a supposed 'skeletal remains of an amphibian' discovered at Hohenhaslach Lake. Described as having a tortoise-like shell, four short legs, and two tusks, the discovery was later revealed to be a hoax, akin to the 'surgeon's photo' of the Loch Ness monster. The source for this report is the 'Bietigheimer Zeitung' from April 1st, 1995.

Bibliography

This section briefly mentions a few unrelated items: a 'strange flying thing-beast' photographed at Loch Ness in the summer of 1992 (reported in Fortean Times 79), and the cayman 'Sammy' which escaped its owner Jörg Zars and spent a week in a bathing lake near Neuss, now residing in a small zoo in Saxony. Reports on Sammy's whereabouts continued to appear in newspapers.

Isis

This short section refers to 'the siren in the bathtub,' a report or hoax from 'Noticias del mundo,' the Spanish version of the Weekly World News. A news agency report on this is mentioned as being in the 'Stuttgarter Zeitung' from February 25, 1995.

Leviathan

The Russian sea serpent, previously mentioned in 'Bilk,' is described with more detail and a photograph in Fortean Times 79. It was washed ashore at Cape Nemetsky on October 24, 1994, described as 37 ft long and covered with fur or feathers. However, it was identified as a dead sperm whale.

Marine Life

Several reports on marine animals are included:

• Whales: A 3m/10 ft young whale died in Izmir, Turkey, possibly from harpoon wounds, after swimming an estimated 1600 kilometers. In February 1995, two whales washed ashore on the German North Sea coast, including a 6m/20 ft pilot whale at Wyk on Föhr Island.
• Dolphins: Contrary to their peaceful image, dolphins have been observed killing porpoises in the Moray Firth, Scotland, according to a report in 'Welt' (March 11, 1995).
• Shark: A 7m/13 ft basking shark, weighing 2 tonnes, was caught by fishermen south of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea and publicly exhibited in Propriano before being destroyed.

Cryptozoology and Discoveries

This section details several cryptozoological and discovery-related reports:

• Orang Pendek: A British expedition led by Debbie Martyr is searching for the Orang Pendek, a mythical ape of Sumatra. Martyr has reportedly seen the creature three times and found footprints in the Kerinci Sadlat national park.
• Rabbit Kangaroo: A species believed extinct for 125 years, the 'rabbit cangaroo' (Kaninchenkängaruh in German), has reportedly been rediscovered in Australia.
• Black Iguanas: Gunther Köhler, a German iguana enthusiast, discovered two new species of black iguana in Honduras and Mexico, raising the known species count to 12. One species, 'Ctenosaura flavidorsalis,' has a yellow back and lives in Honduras, while 'Ctenosaura alfredschmidti' was found in Mexico. These iguanas are characterized by their thick, thorny tails.
• Stone Age People: A French expedition led by Patrice Franceschi discovered a 'stone age people' in a highland region of New Guinea. These people lived in a village, spoke an unknown language, and had the custom of wearing nose plugs. Communication was limited to only two words.

Archaeology

Several archaeological topics are covered:

• Rungholt: Hans Peter Duerr claims to have discovered the ruins of Rungholt, a legendary Atlantis-type town destroyed by floods in the Middle Ages. However, archaeologists consider his finds worthless. The discussion is noted in 'Der Spiegel' (November 30, 1994).
• Atlantis: The 'Frankfurter Allgemeine Magazin' (March 3, 1995) featured an article on the Atlantis myth, covering its folklore, occult speculation, and its association with the concept of the 'white race'.
• Lake Constance: Divers excavating a prehistoric lake settlement at Sipplingen found remains of wall paintings, identified by archaeologist Helmut Schlichtherle as evidence of temples or cult rooms dating to 3900-3800 BC.

A Strange Lake

Early in February, the Eichener See, or Lake of Eichen, reappeared near Schopfheim in the German Black Forest. This lake fills a hollow that is usually dry and used for agriculture. It is not fed by a stream but fills sporadically due to underground water pressure forcing its way through a layer of clay and chalkstone. This year's appearance was noted as its largest in years, with reports and photos in the 'Bietigheimer Zeitung' and 'Stuttgarter Zeitung'.

Editorial Notes

Ulrich notes that this issue had little 'aquatic cryptozoology' and that many current fortean reports involve weeping and bleeding statues in Italy. He hopes the next 'Bilk' will feature more traditional material and encourages readers to send in their news and views.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Bilk are cryptozoology (mythical creatures, new species discoveries), archaeology (ancient settlements, myths), and unexplained natural phenomena (mysterious lakes, unusual animal behavior). The editorial stance, as expressed by Ulrich, is one of curiosity and reporting on a wide range of unusual events, including hoaxes, while maintaining a desire for more traditional 'Bilk-material' in future issues. The publication encourages reader participation and the sharing of news and observations.