Exotic Zoology - Vol 2 No 4 - 1995

Magazine Overview

Title: EXOTIC ZOOLOGY
Issue: Vol. 2., #4
Date: July/August 1995
Editor: Matthew A. Bille

Exotic Zoology is a bimonthly magazine dedicated to cryptozoology, focusing on the search for new or supposedly extinct species. This issue, dated July/August 1995, highlights recent discoveries in Vietnam and revisits the enduring mystery of the Giant Octopus, while also providing updates on various animal sightings and rediscoveries.

Recent Discoveries: Return to Vu Quang

The Vu Quang region in Vietnam, bordering Laos, has become a hotspot for the discovery of large mammals. Following the appearance of the unique Vu Quang ox and three other new species (giant muntjac, slow-running deer, and black deer), further discoveries have been made. Biologist Wolfgang Peter spotted unusual spiral horns in a Ho Chi Minh City market stall. These horns, approximately 45cm long and resembling motorcycle handlebars, led to the creation of a new genus, *Pseudonovibos*, and the species *P. spiralis*. Eight horns from six individuals were collected, and cross-sections suggest potential differences between sexes. The animal, referred to by local hunters as 'linh duong' ('forest goat' or 'holy goat'), is reported in the provinces of Ben Me Thuot, Dac Lac, and Kon Tum, and also in northwestern Cambodia as the 'jungle sheep'.

This marks the third new genus of large mammal discovered in Southeast Asia in three years. The first was the Vu Quang ox (*Pseudoryx nghetinhensis*), which did not fit into existing cattle or antelope classifications and is linked to ancient hemibovids. Three specimens of the ox have been captured, but all have died.

The issue also details the giant muntjac, *Megamuntiacus vuquangensis*, initially described from a skull by Dr. John MacKinnon and later found alive in Laos. Some authorities place it within the *Muntiacus* genus. Zoologist George B. Schaller reported on a small, dark-colored muntjac in the Annamite region, awaiting formal description. Additionally, Schaller found the skull of *Sus bucculentis*, the Vietnamese warty pig, first described in 1892 but never scientifically documented until now. Local depictions show it as a long-snouted animal with yellow and reddish fur.

An odd report from the South China Morning Post mentioned a new hoofed mammal, locally called a 'tuoa', caught near A Luoi village, Vietnam. The specimen, a calf whose mother escaped, was eaten before examination. It was described as having a roundish head, long ears, a stout build, and a black and gray coat with white blotches, and was not a Vu Quang ox.

Dr. Karl Shuker is quoted as saying that these discoveries provide a simple answer to cynics questioning the existence of undiscovered major animals.

Mystery Animals: Requiem for the Giant Octopus?

This section revisits the case of the mass that washed ashore in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1896, weighing an estimated five tons. Initially believed by Dr. DeWitt Webb to be a giant octopus, he sent photographs and tissue samples to Dr. A. E. Verrill, who first thought it was a giant squid, then agreed it was an octopus (*Octopus giganteus*), and later decided it was part of a whale. Webb's descriptions mentioned tentacles, a mantle, and a large internal organ, but no bones.

Later, scientists Forrest Wood and Joseph Gennaro analyzed a tissue sample from the 'mantle' and concluded it was an octopus with an armspan approaching 200 feet. Dr. Roy Mackal's 1986 analysis of its chemical composition and amino acids also supported the octopus identification, noting the tissue was collagenous protein, not blubber.

However, a 1994 analysis by a quartet of marine scientists led by Dr. Sidney Pierce, including Dr. Eugenie Clark, examined tissue from the 1896 mass and a similar mass found in Bermuda in 1988. They reported that neither tissue structure nor chemical composition indicated an octopus. They suggested the St. Augustine carcass was whale skin and the 'Bermuda Blob' came from a fish, with the whale's fatty tissue decomposed, leaving the collagen network.

Pierce's team found the values of *O. giganteus* closer to that of a whale than an octopus. Mackal's analysis of copper and iron content, however, showed higher copper and lower iron in the St. Augustine remains compared to dolphin tissue, which he considered inconclusive without a comparison to a known octopus. The 1994 analysis did not fully explain the physical characteristics of the mass, leading Richard Ellis to question how whale skin could detach in such a large mass and retain its structure.

News and Comment

This section provides brief reports on various zoological news items:

• Loch Ness: A study by the British Natural History Museum and the University of Lancaster suggests the fish supply in Loch Ness is inadequate for large predators, supporting only one 30kg fish-eater.
• Puma: Maine wildlife officials confirmed a puma sighting, the first in the state since 1938. Combined with a confirmed case in Vermont, this strengthens the case that the Eastern puma (*Felis concolor cougar*) may not be extinct.
• Thylacine: An Australian newspaper reported a new sighting of a thylacine (Tasmanian tiger) by park ranger Charlie Beasley in northeastern Tasmania. Professor Struan Sutherland also described a 1945 expedition that collected evidence of thylacines surviving past their presumed extinction in the 1930s. Hans Naarding, a ranger, also reported a close-up sighting in 1982, and subsequent searches indicated the area was used by thylacines.
• Black-footed Ferrets: At least five of 36 ferrets released in South Dakota's Badlands National Park in 1994 survived the winter. Captive breeding has produced over 400 animals, though a subsequent release of 14 older ferrets was unsuccessful.
• Woolly Flying Squirrel: This species, thought extinct, has been rediscovered in northern Pakistan. Dr. Charles Woods noted its significance, and a more in-depth story is promised for a future issue.
• Peruvian Beaked Whale: The distribution of *Mesoplodon peruvians* is larger than previously thought, with strandings reported in Mexico and on the island of Espiritu Santo. There are also 24 reported sightings of an unclassified species of beaked whale over 5m long in the same region, characterized by a distinctive white striping pattern.

Resources

This section lists several books and periodicals relevant to cryptozoology and zoology:

• Books:
• *The Complete Guide to Mysterious Beings* by John Keel (1994)
• *Fire Under the Sea* by Joseph Cone (1991)
• *Panthers of the Coastal Plain* by Charles R. Humphreys (1994)
• *Sharks in Question* by Victor Springer and Joy P. Gold (1989)
• *The Search for Enigmatic Animals* by Chad Arment (1995)
• Periodicals:
• Articles on albino whales, conservation on Cebu, seafloor vents, giant squid, endangered Australian marsupials, carnivorous sponges, tube worms, tree kangaroos, Madagascar serpent eagles, Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys, and Australian box jellyfish.
• On-Line Resources: Mentions of a "Cryptozoology" roundtable on Genie, a "Monsters" board on OMNI On-Line (America On Line), and zoology newsgroups like "alt.animals.lions" and "rec.animals.wildlife."

Editor's Page

Statement of Purpose: Matthew A. Bille defines cryptozoology as the subspecialty of zoology focused on the search for new or supposedly extinct species, aiming to restore the term's proper usage as a science based on evidence, rather than sensationalism.

Reader Response: Dr. Bernard Heuvelmans praises the publication, and his series of books on unknown animals will be republished in English.

In Closing: Readers are encouraged to join the International Society of Cryptozoology (ISC). Contact Richard Greenwell for information. The ISC's publications were suspended but are expected to resume. The magazine's subscription rate is $18/year in the U.S. and $20/year elsewhere. Guest articles are welcome.

Reminder: Matthew A. Bille's book, *Rumors of Existence*, on new, rediscovered, and unconfirmed animals, is due out in late September, published by Hancock House.

Logo Illustration: The mysterious cetacean *Delphinus rhinoceros* is featured.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the boundaries of zoology, focusing on undiscovered, rare, and supposedly extinct species. The editorial stance emphasizes a scientific approach, valuing well-reasoned hypothesizing and evidence-based speculation over wild claims. There is a clear interest in new discoveries, particularly in remote regions like Southeast Asia, and in re-evaluating historical mysteries through modern scientific analysis. The publication also serves as a platform for reporting on sightings of animals thought to be extinct, such as pumas and thylacines, and for disseminating information on relevant books and online resources for enthusiasts.