BILK

Magazine Overview

This issue of BILK, Nr. 81, published bi-monthly in January 1998 by Ulrich Magin from Rastatt, Germany, focuses on a variety of cryptozoological and unexplained phenomena. The subscription costs are 15 DM for Europe and 20 DM for the rest of the world.

Loch Ness Sightings

The magazine details numerous reports concerning Loch Ness. In August 1972, Commander A. G. W. Bellars reportedly spotted two humps. A frightening experience was reported in August 1994 by an angler at Invermoriston Camping Park, who described a "large black beast with a head like a rhino." In early February 1997, a family claimed to have seen an object in the loch off Foyers, though Steve Feltham found the report doubtful. In March 1997, Richard Whyte photographed dark objects near Urquhart Castle, which were described as "undoubtedly a boat wake." Later that month, another report mentioned two humps near Aldourie Castle. In April 1997, a visitor reported seeing humps in the Foyers area. In June 1997, a "dark object moving quickly in the water" was reported off Strone by American film crew members, though this was speculated to be a joke. Rumors also suggested that Bob Rines and his crew detected "something large with an underwater TV camera" and later an "unusual target on their sonar." In July 1997, the vessel "Royal Scot" registered sonar contacts off Fort Augustus on two separate occasions. In late July, a press report mentioned a large, unexplained sonar echo in Loch Lochy, though the primary observer did not see anything. A summer report mentioned a seal in Loch Ness, and on August 9, 1997, a woman at Invermoriston Camping Park heard a "humming noise."

Peru: Giant Serpent and Other Reports

The issue includes a report from Peru about a giant serpent in the Amazonian jungle that allegedly killed three children in April 1997. The serpent, described as 6 meters (20 feet) long, capsized a boat and strangled the children. Further details on a "Peruvian Nessie" report mention a giant serpent in the Amazonian village of Nuevo Tacna, estimated to be 40 meters long and 5 meters wide, with two "antennae" resembling an elephant's trunk. This creature reportedly left a track of destruction 300 meters long and 10 meters wide.

Schwerin, Germany: Hoax Carp Photo

In Schwerin, Germany, an angler submitted a picture of a giant carp to a local paper, claiming it was caught in Pinower See. However, it was discovered that the angler had scanned the carp from an angling magazine and digitally added it to his own photo. The angler admitted to faking the image to stop his companions from boasting.

Bibliography of Strange Creatures

The bibliography lists several other unusual reports: Manipogo (Fortean Times/FT 104), monsters in Lake Gryttjen, Sweden, the Altamaha River in Georgia, and Lake Murray in South Carolina (Fortean Times 106).

Copenhagen: Little Mermaid Mystery

In Copenhagen, the Little Mermaid statue was beheaded 33 years prior. Psychologist Finn Ejnar Madson admitted that his friend, artist Henrik Bruun, had kept the mermaid's head and later disposed of it in Copenhagen harbor.

Marine Life Reports

During winter, whales were reported to beach worldwide. Specific incidents include mass strandings of sperm whales off the coast of Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark. Theories for these strandings included environmental pollution and the whales' inability to follow the Gulf Stream. In Perth, Australia, two surfers narrowly escaped a great white shark that bit their surfboard in two, approximately 200 meters from the beach.

Cryptozoology: Yetis, Orang Pendeks, and Thylacines

Italian mountaineer Reinhold Messner claims to have footage of several Yetis, describing them as animals with four legs that can move bipedially, standing 2.2 meters tall with bright fur, and eating yaks. He stated that the "legend and animal are identical" and that he has encountered them multiple times in the Himalayas. Messner was also a guest on Harald Schmidt's TV show.

British scientists have discovered what they believe to be an ape-like creature in the jungles of Sumatra, named the Orang Pendek. It is described as up to 4 feet tall and bipedal. Expedition leader David Chivers suggests it might be an unknown ape species, a "long-forgotten cousin." Cryptozoologists consider this discovery significant, as the orang pendek is on Heuvelman's list of animals to be found, though its status is comparable to Bigfoot, with only sightings, fuzzy photos, and footprints as evidence.

Palaeontologists have found evidence that thylacine-like creatures, now extinct, once existed in South America. An interview with a thylacine expert in "Das Tier" magazine denies any evidence of the animal's survival, suggesting that famous photographs were of a stuffed museum specimen.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of BILK revolve around cryptozoology, unexplained phenomena, and alleged encounters with unknown creatures. The magazine presents a wide array of reports, from lake monsters and giant serpents to cryptids like the Yeti and Orang Pendek, and even UFO-like sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on these phenomena, often citing various sources and publications, while also acknowledging skepticism and the need for further evidence, as seen in the discussions of the Orang Pendek and Thylacine survival. The inclusion of a bibliography and detailed incident reports suggests a commitment to documenting and investigating these subjects.