Bilk - no 078 - 1997 07

Magazine Overview

This document is BILK Nr. 78, a bi-monthly publication by Ulrich Magin, based in Kastatt, Germany. The issue is dated July 1997 and focuses on cryptids and unexplained phenomena, with the cover headline "BEHEMOTH". The subscription cost is 19 DM for Europe and 20 DM for the rest of the world.

Behemoth: Cryptid Sightings and Reports

Loch Ness Monster The issue details several reports and photographic evidence related to the Loch Ness Monster. A photo from September 1955, reprinted from Fortean Times, was identified as a wave shadow by Rip Heppie. On August 11, 1996, Austin Hepburn photographed what was believed to be Nessie, also identified as a boat wake. In September 1996, Joseph Mclean and his brother Alastair reported seeing a "gigantic black snake some 20 ft long" and a flipper, which Rip Hepple and Murray Barber also attributed to a boat wake. A photo from a Moray holiday party on June 10, 1934, was rediscovered and identified as a wave shadow. On February 16, 1997, Dave Shields and family observed an object in the loch "like a jet-ski". In 1996, Vaj Smith reported seeing a "round object, of a russet colour" about half a mile away and four feet across from the Clansman Hotel. Researchers Adrian Shine suggested it was a bird, while Rip Hepple could not identify it, though his judgment is usually trusted.

Dinosaurs An article in Fortean Times 55 mentions a sighting in the southern US of a "large lizard loping across the road", which appeared to be ridden by a tiny human being. The book "Merging Dimensions" by Tom Dongo & Linda Bradshaw is cited for its inclusion of UFO abductions, Bigfoot footprints, Men In Black, dinosaurs, and humanoids, though their photos are noted to show only lens reflections and raindrops.

Amazon Mystery Beast Fortean Times 99 features an article on a strange pink animal observed in the Amazon by Jeremy Wade in August 1993. The creature had a mysterious serrated dorsal fin and looked dinosaur-like. Wade observed it again in subsequent years and managed to document his sightings with photos and film. The article suggests it might be a dolphin with a wounded dorsal fin, contrasting the ease of finding this creature with the decades-long efforts at Loch Ness, Bigfoot searches, or the Lake Champlain hunt. It also references the quick discovery of the coelacanth.

Cryptozoology and Discoveries Karl Shuker's article in Fortean Times 100, "the successes of cryptozoology", is discussed. The author argues that many discoveries attributed to cryptozoology are simply new animal discoveries, citing the tube worms on the ocean floor and the megamouth shark. The article criticizes the comparison of a deer species found in an unexplored valley in Vietnam with cryptids like Bigfoot and Nessie, stating that the former are simply new discoveries, not evidence of legendary creatures. The "onza tonza" is identified as the Spanish word for puma, and it's noted that a cryptozoological article on the onza would not make sense in Spanish.

Other Cryptid and Anomaly Reports

Behemoth - Other Entries The issue lists various other reports: An earthquake in Iran in May 1997 prompted a villager to describe the mountain roaring like a dragon. The movie "The Relic" is mentioned for its dinosaur-like survivor. Johannes von Buttlar's book "Adams Planet" is cited for information on Paluxy and alleged ancient Ica stones. An Irish master otter is mentioned. The Loch Morar monster's wake was spotted by Tom Healy, who also photographed an "unidentified animal in Lough Bron, Co. Kerry". A "Half-fish, half-horse" river monster in Transkei has allegedly killed nine people since January 1997. A Russian lake monster was reported in Lake Brosno, near Tver. A giant turtle in a pond in Hanoi is presented as fact. A 60 ft giant lizard was seen in Madison Square Park, New York, during the filming of Godzilla.

ISIS Bipedía Nr. 14, published in March 1997, is mentioned. It contains no marine humanoid speculation but focuses on ancient astronaut ideas, with the author expressing skepticism about proving contentious theories by referencing others without scientific recognition.

Leviathan Richard Ellis' book on sea monsters has been published in a German edition, "Seeungeheuer Mythen, Fabeln und Fakten". A review in "Frankfuter Allgemeine Zeitung" mentions an alleged "Plesiosaur" fished in 1977 off New Zealand.

Kraken Fortean Times 99 discusses a giant squid hunt off New Zealand. The Peter Benchley-authored horror movie "Beast" about a horrible architeuthis was shown on German TV.

Cryptozoology A May 1997 article in "Geo" magazine is noted for its "pro" cryptozoology stance. On May 25, 1997, German TV channel 2DF broadcast a documentary "Rätselhafte Ungeheuer" on monsters, featuring Richard Greenwell and Bernard Heuvelmans. New films included a yeti film and Bigfoot movies. The material on Nessie included St Columba and an interview with Adrian Shine. A new species of lizard resembling a gecko, with a blue ring around the eyes and yellow scales on the eyelids, was discovered in Nepal by Wuppertal reptile expert Prof. Hans Hermann Schleich. A tiny species of frog was discovered on Monte Iberia, Cuba, by Alberto Estrada and Blair Hedges. The article notes that each year, one hundred new species of amphibium and 25 new mammals are discovered.

Marine Life At Spanish Keys, Bahamas, a 54-year-old man, Wilbor Wood, was severely mauled by a shark after spearing a fish. The shark mauled his arm, and the fish's action is humorously compared to the shark's.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of BILK are cryptids, sea monsters, and unexplained phenomena. The magazine presents a wide range of reported sightings and anecdotal evidence, from the well-known Loch Ness Monster to lesser-known regional legends. There is a clear interest in documenting these phenomena, with frequent references to other publications like Fortean Times and various newspapers. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting and exploring these accounts, though there is a critical perspective offered on the methodology and claims within cryptozoology, as seen in the critique of comparing new species discoveries with established cryptids. The inclusion of UFOs and ancient astronaut theories suggests a broader interest in paranormal and fringe topics.