Exotic Zoology - Vol 5 No 5 - 1998

Magazine Overview

Title: EXOTIC ZOOLOGY
Issue: Vol.5 #5
Date: September/October 1998
Editor: Matthew A. Bille

This issue of Exotic Zoology, a bimonthly magazine of cryptozoology, delves into the world of mystery animals and recent discoveries in zoology. The editor, Matthew A. Bille, presents his personal "top five" most likely cryptids, while other sections cover new species, cloning, and significant zoological finds.

Mystery Animals: The Top Five

Editor Matthew A. Bille outlines his criteria for selecting cryptozoological animals to pursue: those most likely to be real and discoverable, avoiding hopeless quests or cases of known species in out-of-place habitats. His personal "top five" are:

1. The Thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus): Known to have existed, with good sightings and ancillary evidence (tracks, kills) suggesting continued existence. The editor notes that fewer than twenty may remain in Tasmania and suggests looking on the Australian mainland if they aren't found there.
2. Mystery Beaked Whales: At least one beaked whale of unknown type, referred to as Mesoplodon Species A, exists in the Pacific, with clear color photographs available. Another unknown type was observed off the coast of Oregon. These could be Mesoplodon pacificus or entirely new species.
3. The Sea Serpent: The sighting by Nicoll and Meade-Waldo in 1905 is considered the most fascinating episode in cryptozoology. The description does not match any known animal, and the conditions and witnesses were highly qualified. Other compelling "sea serpent" episodes include French Navy encounters off Indochina (1897-1904) and a carcass found in a sperm whale at Naden Harbor, British Columbia (1937).
4. Animals of Lake Iliamna, Alaska: Reports of spindle-shaped creatures have been coming from this large body of water for a long time. A compelling report from a state biologist in 1963 described an animal 8 to 9 meters long. The editor notes these are likely fish, with no connection to long-necked lake monsters.
5. Octopus giganteus: A chemical analysis of tissue found in Florida in 1896 identified it as blubber, but with unanswered questions. Photos show a huge mass with tentacles, and its origin is unexplained, lacking cetacean features.

News and Comment

This section covers several recent developments:

• Undiscovered Species on Navassa Island: A survey of this tiny, rocky U.S.-owned island revealed an estimated 250 new species of animals and plants, including lizards, wingless crickets, and other insects, despite the island being a "slab of jagged, broiling-hot limestone" with only rain as a water source.
• Cloning of an Adult Mammal: New Zealand scientists successfully cloned the last living specimen of a unique breed of cow, "Lady," from sub-antarctic Enderby Island. This is seen as a "proof of principle" for using cloning to help endangered species, though it's noted that a closely related "surrogate mother" is needed, making it unsuitable for species like the thylacine.
• Quagga Resurrection: Eleven "reconstructed" quaggas have been released in South Africa's Karoo National Park. The project's geneticist states that the animals can be called quaggas as they cannot be differentiated by DNA from the common zebra (Equus burchelli).

The Giant Squid

This article details the arrival of an actual specimen of *Architeuthis*, the giant squid, at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. The 25-foot-long male *Architeuthis kirki* was caught off New Zealand in late 1997 and shipped to the museum. The article describes the squid's characteristics: it is the largest living invertebrate, reaching up to 57 feet in length. This specimen was a mature male, not self-illuminating, and lacked hooks on its arms, unlike the fictional giant squid in Peter Benchley's novel *Beast*. It possesses the largest eyes in the animal kingdom (six inches across) and a parrot-like beak. Giant squids are purplish-brown, with eight arms and two long tentacles equipped with toothed suckers. The specimen measured eight feet in body length, with arms and tentacles adding significantly to its total length.

Resources

This section reviews several books and an online article:

• Books on Mokele-mbembe: Two travelogues are reviewed: Redmon O'Hanlon's *No Mercy: A Journey to the Heart of the Congo* (a serious exploration) and Rory Nugent's *Drums Along the Congo* (shorter and more light-hearted).
• *Meg* by Steve Alten: This novel is described as the worst cryptozoologically-themed novel, with an unbelievable scenario for the survival of *Carcharodon megalodon*.
• Books on Known Animals:
• *Living Dragons: A Natural History of the World's Monitor Lizards* by Rodney Steel provides a survey of monitor lizards, including information on Australia's giant *Megalania*.
• *The Big Cats and their fossil relatives* by Alan Turner discusses big cats and fossil forms, providing useful context for evaluating "unknown cat" claims.
• Online Article: "Close Encounter With a Creature ‘of the Finny Tribe': Louisiana's Sea Monster Sighting of 1856" from the Gulf Coast Historical Review, which recounts the killing of a likely manta ray.

Internet and Periodicals

• Internet: A video clip of "South Bay Bessie," the alleged monster of Lake Erie, is available online, though it may be just driftwood.
• Periodicals: The August issue of *BBC Wildlife* features an article on breeding the quagga back from extinction and looks at cryptozoological television programs. It also promises an article on alleged sasquatch films, suggesting the Patterson-Gimlin film is fake based on Gimlin's admission.

More News

• New Mammal in Ecuador: *Chibchanomys orcesi*, a new species of Neotropical fishing mouse, has been discovered in the Andes. It is nearly blind and lives like an otter.
• Storsjoe Lake Monster: An international team failed to find conclusive evidence of the monster of Sweden's Storsjoe lake, despite extensive sonar, video, and diving efforts. Descriptions of the creature have been inconsistent.
• New Bird Species in Africa: A new species of robin has been described from the Central African Republic. Ornithologists note that new species are still being discovered regularly.

Editor's Page

The purpose of Exotic Zoology is defined as the zoological subspecialty of finding new or supposedly extinct species, aiming to restore the term's usage as a hard science devoted to collecting and studying evidence, rather than sensationalized "monsters."

Serious researchers are encouraged to join the International Society of Cryptozoology. The magazine is published four times a year, with subscription rates provided. Back issues are available.

The "Business Manager's Niche" thanks subscribers and welcomes new ones, providing contact information for concerns.

Still Available: The editor's book, *Rumors of Existence*, is advertised, detailing important discoveries in recent zoology, new, rediscovered, and unconfirmed animals. It is available for $12.95.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on cryptozoology, the study of unknown or extinct animals. The editorial stance, as articulated in the "Editor's Page," is to promote cryptozoology as a serious scientific endeavor, distinct from sensationalized monster tales. There is a clear emphasis on evidence-based research and the discovery of new or rediscovered species, whether they are cryptids or scientifically classified organisms. The magazine also highlights the intersection of cryptozoology with broader zoological news, such as cloning and genetic research, and reviews relevant books and media. The editor's personal interest in "mystery animals" and the pursuit of evidence is a recurring theme throughout the issue.