Exotic Zoology - Vol 3 No 6 - 1996

Magazine Overview

Exotic Zoology, The Bimonthly Magazine of Cryptozoology, Vol. 3, #6, published in November/December 1996, with Matthew A. Bille as Editor. The magazine focuses on the scientific study of unknown or supposedly extinct species.

Rediscovieries: The Congo Bay Owl

The lead article details the rediscovery of the Congo Bay Owl (Phodilus prioginei), also known as the Itombwe owl. This species had been known only from a single specimen collected in the Itombwe Massif of Zaire in 1951. For 45 years, there were no confirmed sightings, with only one unconfirmed report from Burundi in the 1970s. The International Council for Bird Preservation had listed its status as 'indeterminate.' In 1996, a team from the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Zaire Institute for Nature Conservation successfully captured a female Congo bay owl in the eastern Zaire region. This rediscovery is presented as a vindication for the species and offers hope for the potential emergence of other poorly documented animals, such as the Kenyan spotted lion and an unclassified antelope from Liberia.

Mystery Animals: More Yeti Questions

This section continues a discussion from the previous issue regarding the Yeti and other alleged large primates. The article emphasizes the need to place the Yeti in context with other reported large primates found on inhabited continents, noting that the sheer number of such claims (e.g., Africa's agogwe, Sumatra's orang-pendek, China's yeren, Siberia's chuchunaa, South America's di-di and sisemite, and the Sasquatch) makes it difficult for scientists to accept any single claim. The standard for scientific credibility is a type-specimen, which is currently lacking for most of these creatures. The Sasquatch is noted for having some disputed film evidence and numerous recent sightings, but it also breaks many rules of primate behavior and habitat, raising questions about its existence.

The article discusses the work of anthropologist Myra Shackley, who suggests that relict Neanderthals, known as almas, inhabit Mongolia and the Pamirs. The search for unknown apes has also attracted interest from fiction writers and filmmakers, with mentions of Michael Crichton's 'Congo' and upcoming films about the Yeti and a Disney project titled 'Esau.' Novels like John Darnton's 'Neanderthal' are also being adapted to film.

Cryptozoologists are urged to prioritize their research. The Sasquatch (or Bigfoot) is the most widely reported, but remains problematical, with critics like Kevin Wylie pointing out its significant differences from known nonhuman primates.

The article then examines the Minnesota Iceman, a hairy corpse examined by zoologists Bernard Heuvelmans and Ivan Sanderson in 1968, who believed it to be genuine. Heuvelmans proposed it represented *Homo pongoides*, the ape-like man. However, the Iceman's origins were unclear, with its owner, Frank Hansen, offering multiple stories. Heuvelmans believed it was shot in Vietnam, but this is based on secondhand reports. The article notes that the Iceman's head does not resemble Neanderthals. The current whereabouts of the Iceman are unknown, and the article draws a parallel to Peking Man, whose bones have also been lost.

The best piece of Yeti evidence cited is the footprints photographed by Eric Shipton in 1951. However, conservationist Daniel Taylor-Ide suggests these might be overprinted and sun-melted bear tracks. The article points out that the separation between the first two toes and the last three in the print is difficult to explain with this theory. The dimensions of the 1951 Yeti footprint are given: 13 inches (33 cm) long and 8 inches (20.3 cm) wide, with a width-length index of 61, significantly higher than the human range of 34 to 40.

The article concludes that evidence for the Yeti and other alleged primates is intriguing but not conclusive, and science still requires a physical specimen ('habeus corpus'). The author expresses skepticism about the existence of numerous large, unidentified primates and leans towards the Minnesota Iceman being a hoax.

News and Comment

This section provides several brief updates:

• Oliver the Chimp: A chimpanzee named Oliver, who was displayed 20 years ago as a potential young Sasquatch due to his unusual appearance (habitually bipedal, small balding head, humanlike expression), is now undergoing genetic testing. Anthropologist Dr. Gordon Gallup plans to determine if Oliver is an aberrant chimp, a hybrid between a chimp and a bonobo, or something more unusual, possibly even a human-chimp hybrid. The testing will be conducted by Dr. David Ledbetter at the University of Chicago. The author expresses doubt about the possibility of a human-ape cross and considers Oliver a poor candidate.
• News Clips:
• A fact sheet on the presumed-extinct Eastern Cougar is available on the WWF-Canada website.
• Dr. Clyde Roper's expedition to find the giant squid *Architeuthis dux* has been canceled due to lack of funding.
• The IUCN's 1996 'Red List' of threatened animals includes one-fourth of the world's mammal species.
• Egyptian police shot two unidentified animals in Armant that were terrorizing the town.
• Japanese geneticists are attempting to recreate the mammoth species using elephants as surrogate mothers, though success is doubted.
• Experts studying giant elephants in Nepal have confirmed their DNA does not match mammoths, suggesting inbreeding in Asian pachyderms (*Elephas maximas*) has brought out characteristics of primitive elephants like stegodonts.
• News and Comment (Continued):
• Extremely primitive organisms called archaea, discovered in 1982 from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent, have been genetically classified as a unique form of life, representing a third major branch of life on Earth.
• A previously unknown fish of the genus *Crossochelius* has been discovered in Vu Quang, Vietnam. The World Wide Fund for Nature described Vu Quang as 'a lost world...possibly teeming with new species.'
• Edwards's pheasant (*Lophura edwardsi*) has been confirmed in the wild in Vietnam for the first time since 1928.

Resources

This section reviews several books relevant to cryptozoology:

• Something Hidden Behind the Ranges by Daniel Taylor-Ide (1995): Taylor-Ide recounts his personal search for the Yeti, concluding that no unknown wild ape exists and that most Yeti prints are likely bear tracks. The book also covers discoveries about bears and conservation.
• In the Tracks of the Yeti by Robert A. Hutchison (1989): Hutchison, unlike Taylor-Ide, believes the Yeti exists in multiple species. His expedition found alleged yeti tracks and examined a mummified 'yeti foot' which he found strange but did not describe in detail. The book is recommended for understanding the cultural context of Yeti reports, particularly the Sherpas.
• On the Track of Unknown Animals by Bernard Heuvelmans (1995): An updated edition of a foundational cryptozoology work. It includes alleged animals from various continents and examines contradictory reports, offering explanations for most. The book includes a 13-page preface and a 26-page bibliography. Heuvelmans' claim to have established the existence of *Homo pongoides* is mentioned.
• Deep Atlantic: Life, Death, and Exploration in the Abyss by Richard Ellis (1996): While primarily about the deep Atlantic environment, this book contains cryptozoological tidbits, including information on giant squids, weird fish, hydrothermal vent colonies, and the Leptocephalus giganteus larva. Ellis's explanations of scientific nomenclature and the deep-sea food chain are noted as useful.

Editor's Page

Matthew A. Bille defines cryptozoology as the scientific subspecialty of finding new or supposedly extinct species, aiming to distinguish it from sensationalized accounts of 'monsters' and 'ghosts.' The magazine is published six times a year by Matthew A. Bille and Deborah A. Bille. Subscription rates and contact information are provided. The 'Business Manager's Niche' thanks subscribers and welcomes new ones, mentioning a $1 reduction for referrals and an upcoming addition to the family through adoption.

Now in Print

A promotion for Matthew A. Bille's book, "Rumors of Existence," is featured. The book covers new, rediscovered, and unconfirmed animals and is published by Hancock House, retailing at $12.95. It can be ordered through bookstores or directly from the publisher, with an option to order autographed copies from the author.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on the scientific pursuit of unknown animals, emphasizing evidence-based research and distinguishing cryptozoology from sensationalism. The editorial stance supports rigorous investigation into reported phenomena, as seen in the detailed analysis of Yeti evidence and the rediscovery of the Congo Bay Owl. There is a clear emphasis on distinguishing between scientific inquiry and speculative fiction, while acknowledging the cultural significance of these mysteries. The magazine also highlights new discoveries in zoology and related fields, such as the classification of archaea and new fish species, demonstrating a broad interest in the natural world beyond just cryptids.