Creature Chronicles

Magazine Overview

Title: Creature Chronicles
Issue Date: March 1, 1987
Publisher: Independent Information and News Service
Editor: Ron Schaffner

This issue of Creature Chronicles delves into the ongoing debate surrounding the existence of Sasquatch, also known as Bigfoot. The editorial, penned by Ron Schaffner and co-signed by C. J. Wilhelm, proposes a novel approach to validating the creature's existence: a legal trial. It highlights the upcoming 20th anniversary of the Roger Patterson-Gimlin film, acknowledging its significance but questioning the lack of substantial evidence since then. The publication also announces the reactivation of its Hoax and Fraud Committee to combat misinformation in the field.

Editorial: The Sasquatch Issue and the Legal System

The editorial, titled "IS THERE ENOUGH DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE TO ACTUALLY SUBSTANTIATE THE EXSISTANCE OF AN UNKNOWN HOMINID?", argues that despite decades of reports, footprint finds, and photographic evidence, the Sasquatch remains unsubstantiated by hard proof. The editors propose taking the issue to the legal system, where believers would present their case through eyewitness testimony, scientific community members, film footage, footprint casts, and hair samples. Law enforcement officials who receive reports would also testify. Skeptics, in turn, would present forensic experts to dispute the reliability of hair analysis, the possibility of faking footprints, and the manipulation of photographic evidence, along with psychological explanations for witness perception.

The editorial posits that a jury, after hearing both sides, might conclude that while an unknown hominid was recorded in 1967 (referencing the Patterson-Gimlin film), the lack of hard evidence suggests it is now extinct. The editors acknowledge that this stance might be met with familiar criticism but maintain that the collection of reports and investigations are merely the first step. They stress the importance of exposing hoaxes and misinterpretations to prevent research from becoming diluted by unsubstantiated claims.

Hoax and Fraud Committee

The "Hoax and Fraud Committee" section addresses the proliferation of "bogus material" and "older fakes" resurfacing in recent years, particularly noting Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland as hotspots for questionable reports. The committee aims to reactivate its efforts to challenge misinformation, stating they will draft challenge statements for individuals and send copies to the media that published the false information. They express a serious commitment to this issue, even vowing to go to court if accused of slander or liable, confident that their claims cannot be disproven.

Charles J. Wilhelm is listed as the contact for the Hoax and Fraud Committee, with a P.O. Box in Fairfield, Ohio.

Questionable Bigfoot Report in West Virginia

This section details a report from the West Virginia Advocate (December 1986) about two hunters near Cacapon, West Virginia, who claimed to be attacked by a male and female Bigfoot. The hunters described the creatures as covered in black hair, with the female having "tits" and the male having "a big penis and testicles." The encounter involved the creatures growling, lunging, and holding the men at bay for about ten minutes before the hunters fired their shotguns into the air. The men showed the ADVOCATE a tear in a hunting coat and strands of coarse black hair but refused to allow the paper to analyze the samples, stating they would have them analyzed by a D.C. laboratory. The ADVOCATE expressed skepticism but could neither prove nor disprove the encounter. The magazine's editor notes it's strange the hunters wouldn't allow analysis of the hair and agrees that hair samples cannot be definitively identified without an actual sample of Sasquatch hair.

Recommended Reading

"THE SASQUATCH AND OTHER UNKNOWN HOMINIDS" edited by Vladimir Markotic (Western Publishers, 1984) is recommended for serious students of the subject. It is described as a series of papers covering historical monster legends, biological and psychological aspects, and a full account of the Patterson/Gimlin film, including a chapter on Believers vs. Skeptics.

Other Brief Reports

• Crews to 'sound out' Nessie: An upcoming event called "Operation Deep-Scan" is planned for October 11-12 to search Loch Ness for the elusive monster using sonar technology. A previous search in 1982 recorded 40 contacts with a large object exhibiting animal-like characteristics.
• Viper gets new home: A rare albino hognose spreading viper, captured near Vincennes, Indiana, has found a new home at the Mesker Zoo in Evansville.
• Primatologists rediscover lemur: A bamboo-eating lemur with rusty-red fur and golden cheeks, thought to be extinct, has been rediscovered in Madagascar. This discovery is hailed as highly significant.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of evidence in cryptozoology, particularly concerning Sasquatch. The editorial stance is one of cautious skepticism, emphasizing the need for verifiable, hard evidence rather than anecdotal accounts. The magazine actively promotes a critical approach, evidenced by the reactivation of the Hoax and Fraud Committee, and a willingness to challenge unsubstantiated claims. While acknowledging the public's fascination with such phenomena, Creature Chronicles prioritizes rigorous investigation and the exposure of fraudulent or misinterpreted data to maintain the integrity of research in the field.