ISC Newsletter - Vol 02 No 3 - 1983

Magazine Overview

Title: The ISC Newsletter
Issue: Fall 1983, Vol. 2, No. 3
Publisher: International Society of Cryptozoology
Editor: J. Richard Greenwell

This issue of The ISC Newsletter, published by the International Society of Cryptozoology, features a prominent interview with Dr. Roy P. Mackal, a leading cryptozoologist and Vice President of the ISC. The newsletter also includes reports on various cryptozoological investigations and sightings from around the world, along with updates on the Society's activities and changes in its publications.

Interview with Roy P. Mackal

The centerpiece of this issue is an extensive interview with Dr. Roy P. Mackal, conducted by Editor J. Richard Greenwell. Dr. Mackal, who has spent his academic career at the University of Chicago, discusses his work in cryptozoology, which began with the Loch Ness phenomenon. He explains how his hypotheses about the animals in Loch Ness have evolved over time, from considering large eels or primitive whales to his current working hypothesis of a primitive whale. He details the scientific characteristics that limit potential candidates, such as diving rates and vertical flexure, and compares diving profiles of reported Loch Ness animals to those of the Weddell seal.

Dr. Mackal also addresses the mobility of these animals, suggesting they may enter and leave lakes, or in some cases, become landlocked. He discusses the challenges and potential strategies for capturing such animals, favoring a more practical approach of enlisting local observers for animals migrating with salmon runs, rather than elaborate trapping in large lakes.

When contrasting his views on Loch Ness with those on Mokele-Mbembe in Central Africa, Dr. Mackal clarifies that his hypotheses are based on evidence and the time frame of the animals' existence, not on a predefined notion of conservatism. He explains that while he entertains the possibility of a large lizard or monitor lizard for Mokele-Mbembe, a small sauropod better explains the data. He emphasizes that his research is driven by descriptive details from multiple individuals and suggests that the persistence of these animals is plausible given their long evolutionary history.

Dr. Mackal acknowledges that his involvement in cryptozoology has not caused significant professional problems, attributing any difficulties to his general inclination to be a 'troublemaker' and follow his intuition in research. He defends cryptozoology as a legitimate area of investigation into potentially normal animals, unusual in size or behavior, and not requiring paranormal explanations. He notes the positive effect of the ISC in making cryptozoology a more acceptable field of study, moving it away from associations with witchcraft or astrology.

The Beast of Exmoor

This section details the 'Beast of Exmoor' phenomenon in southwestern England, which began in early spring 1983 with reports of farm animal killings and sightings. Initially thought to be a puma, the creature was later described as a large black dog or panther. The British press, including the Daily Express, offered a reward for a photograph, and the Royal Marines were involved in 'Operation Beastie' to track the animal. Despite extensive efforts, the Beast evaded capture, extending its range and killing numerous farm animals. The article notes that by early July, the kill rate had dropped, with speculation that the animal had moved on or retreated, leaving its ultimate fate and identity unresolved.

News & Notes

This new column aims to provide brief news capsules of cryptozoological interest. Several items are featured:

• White Elephant Story: Indonesian officials reported the existence of a herd of 'white elephants' in North Sumatra, a possible subspecies of the Asian Elephant. Efforts to relocate them to a wildlife park were unsuccessful as the elephants disappeared.
• The Kouprey Lives: The kouprey, a species of wild ox believed to be near extinction, was reliably reported alive in late 1982 in Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Conservation programs had previously been hampered by military hostilities.
• Creepy Numbers: A new estimate suggests that the total number of arthropod species in the world could be as high as 30 million, significantly higher than previously thought, based on research in South American rainforests.
• Slowly But Surely: A terrestrial turtle, *Heosemys silvatica*, known only from two museum specimens collected in 1911, was recently located in the Anaimalai Hills of India, with the help of local Kadar tribesmen.
• Trashy Sea Serpent: Following the 1982 'Chessie' videotaping, 1983 has been a slow year for sea serpent reports. A single report from the Potomac River describes a large, swimming animal seen by a boat owner, though police suggested it might have been 'trash'.

Important Notice

This section informs members that the newsletters and the 1983 journal are running behind schedule due to various delays, including floods in Tucson that damaged paper stock and mailing labels. Members are asked for their patience and understanding, and to wait for renewal notices before submitting membership dues for 1984.

Cryptoletters

The Editor welcomes letters from readers on cryptozoology-related topics. This section includes correspondence from:

• Daniel J. Lyons: Proposing new terms like 'Cryptozoid' and 'Cryptophytid' to designate unknown animals and plants, respectively, aiming for universal acceptance.
• Gordon Strasenburgh: Expressing concern about the 'anti-intellectual tack of anthropology' towards Sasquatch research and urging the ISC Board of Directors to support research based on laymen's findings.
• Editor's Response to Strasenburgh: The Editor clarifies that his editorial duties do not distinguish between laymen and scientists, focusing instead on good scholarship. He encourages researchers to submit their data to the Society's journal for publication and discussion, emphasizing the ISC's role as a scientific forum.
• Anonymous Letter: Criticizing the ISC for 'blowing bubbles' and engaging in too much talk without enough fieldwork, advocating for a more direct approach to finding Sasquatch.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing investigation of unknown animals, the challenges of conducting cryptozoological research, and the Society's role in fostering scientific inquiry. The editorial stance, as articulated by J. Richard Greenwell, is one of openness to all evidence and viewpoints, provided they are well-researched and documented. The Society aims to be a neutral forum for discussion and publication, encouraging both lay and professional researchers to contribute to the field without resorting to paranormal explanations. The issue highlights the tension between rigorous scientific methodology and the often anecdotal nature of cryptozoological reports, while advocating for a balanced and objective approach to the subject.

The ISC Newsletter, Fall 1983, Volume 2, Number 3, is published by the International Society of Cryptozoology. This issue features discussions on cryptozoological research, particularly concerning Bigfoot and the pygmy hippo, alongside information on ISC publications and animal facts.

Articles and Content

Letter from Danny Perez

A letter from Danny Perez, identified as a Sasquatch researcher from Nowalk, California, expresses his views on the ISC and cryptozoological research. Perez questions the ISC's approach, suggesting that if Bernard Heuvelmans is convinced the 'Iceman' is a new species, he should actively seek more evidence rather than simply holding conferences. Perez criticizes what he perceives as a disconnect between ISC members and actual field research, suggesting that conventions should be held 'out in the bush' to better understand the subject matter. He advocates for 'horse sense' in research. Perez also implies that Bigfoot researchers do not need the scientific community and that the ISC founders may have had a different impression of the society's purpose.

Editor's Response

The Editor addresses Perez's letter, noting that much of the text was deleted as irrelevant and that abusive comments were omitted. The Editor clarifies that while he cannot speak for Dr. LeBlond or Dr. Heuvelmans, he questions the assertion that ISC publications do not conform to 'hard-nosed objective science' and disagrees with the notion that science is 'merely a paranoid way of looking at things.' The Editor announces plans for a future review article on the 'Iceman' case. Regarding conventions, the Editor states that the ISC has only sponsored a membership meeting in New York City and sees no purpose in holding conventions in the bush, though he is personally willing to venture into the field for evidence.

ISC Publications Available

Information is provided on the availability of past issues of The ISC Newsletter and the journal Cryptozoology. Prices are listed for both members and non-members, with separate rates for individuals and institutions, corporations, and libraries. All prices include postage.

Cryptoquote: The Pygmy Hippo Expedition

This section features a detailed account, attributed to Willy Ley and sourced from 'The Lungfish, the Dodo, and the Unicorn' (1948), about Carl Hagenbeck's efforts in 1910 to find a living pygmy hippo in Liberia. Hans Schomburgk, Hagenbeck's top animal collector, was assigned the task. Schomburgk initially faced ridicule and disbelief, with locals and even white employees of shipping agencies suggesting he hunt elephants instead. Despite these challenges, Schomburgk persisted. On June 13, 1911, he sighted a pygmy hippo but did not capture it. After the rainy season made travel difficult, he returned to Monrovia and reported his sighting, which was met with skepticism. A second expedition was launched on Christmas Eve, 1912. On February 28, 1913, Schomburgk successfully shot his first pygmy hippo.

Wood's Animal Facts

This segment presents facts about animals, abstracted from 'The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats' by Gerald L. Wood. It highlights the African bush elephant, noting its average adult bull height and detailing the largest accurately measured African bush elephant on record, shot by E. M. Nielsen in South Angola in 1974. Measurements of this giant bull, including its standing height and overall length, are provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the challenges of cryptozoological research, the perceived disconnect between mainstream science and researchers in the field, and the importance of empirical evidence. The editorial stance, as expressed by the Editor, emphasizes a commitment to scientific rigor and scholarly publication, while also acknowledging the value of field investigation. There is a clear effort to bridge the gap between anecdotal accounts and verifiable scientific data, particularly in the context of the Sasquatch and the 'Iceman' cases. The historical account of the pygmy hippo search underscores the difficulties and skepticism often faced by those pursuing evidence of unknown or rare animals.