ISC Newsletter - Vol 04 No 2 - 1985

Magazine Overview

This issue of The ISC Newsletter, Volume 4, Number 2, published in Summer 1985, is primarily dedicated to an interview with Rene Dahinden, a prominent Sasquatch field worker, and a detailed discussion of the Loch Ness Monster flipper photo controversy. The publication is from the International Society of Cryptozoology and features articles on various cryptozoological topics, society news, and member contributions.

Interview with Rene Dahinden

The lead feature is an interview with Rene Dahinden, a Sasquatch investigator since the 1950s and co-author of 'Sasquatch'. Conducted by J. Richard Greenwell, the interview covers Dahinden's long-term involvement with the Sasquatch phenomenon. He outlines a three-stage research process: historical evidence, present-day eyewitness accounts and physical evidence, and obtaining actual physical evidence. Dahinden expresses frustration with the lack of definitive proof despite numerous reports, suggesting that the existence of Sasquatch is statistically probable and that no sound argument exists against it. He criticizes the scientific community, particularly physical anthropologists and primatologists, for largely ignoring the topic, attributing this to fear for their professional reputations and jobs. Dahinden believes that if Sasquatch were found, it would make the careers of involved scientists. He also discusses his personal approach to evidence, stating he would sell any definitive Sasquatch evidence to the highest bidder and would seek to have scientists who dismissed the phenomenon fired. He emphasizes the need for hard-hitting, factual publications in cryptozoology and expresses his continued dedication to the search, viewing it as a long, steady push rather than an emotional pursuit.

CSICOP Publishes Further Nessie Criticisms

This section details the ongoing controversy surrounding the 1972 Nessie flipper photo. The article discusses allegations made in 'Discover' magazine that the photo was retouched by the Academy of Applied Science (AAS) after computer enhancement. It references an article in 'The Skeptical Inquirer' by electronics engineers Rikki Razdan and Alan Kielar, who claimed that AAS altered enhanced photographs to create the impression of a flipper-like object. Razdan and Kielar dismissed AAS's underwater photos as debris and concluded that the Loch Ness Monster is likely a long-lived legend. The article also notes that AAS, including Robert H. Rines and Charles W. Wyckoff, responded to these allegations in 'The Skeptical Inquirer', defending their methodology and equipment. The authors of the critique, Razdan and Kielar, are described as having a different approach than AAS, focusing on data and methodology rather than personalities.

Letters to the Editor (Cryptoletters)

Several letters address various topics:

• W. Ted Ernst, Jr. comments on the Sasquatch stir in California and Washington, referencing past experiences and the possibility of resuming fieldwork.
• Richard Ellis responds to Gerald Wood's 'Animal Facts' on sharks, questioning the documentation of reported large specimens, including a 26-foot Great White in New Brunswick and a 29.5-footer in the Azores, stating his own research found no evidence for such extraordinary sizes.
• A letter, presumably from Razdan and Kielar, criticizes the focus on personal attacks in the Loch Ness debate and reiterates their concerns about AAS's methodology and data, while welcoming new information.
• Henry H. Bauer defends the work of Razdan and Kielar, suggesting that local residents of Loch Ness are not as dismissive of the phenomenon as implied by some critics and questioning the methodology of Razdan and Kielar's monitoring of a small water volume.
• Another letter, from Razdan and Kielar, asserts their scientific approach to studying the Loch Ness phenomenon and criticizes AAS for relying on credentials rather than scientific facts, claiming vital information was withheld.

News & Notes

This section provides brief reports on various topics:

• From Siberia With Love: Reports on unusual sightings of Siberian birds in the United States, including the rustic bunting, slaty-backed gull, brambling, and Siberian accentor, noting an increase in such 'first' sightings.
• Extinct Landing: Naturalist Dick Watling found a specimen of Macgillivray's petrel, a bird thought to be extinct for 130 years, in Fiji.
• Abominable Snowjob?: Vadim Ranov, a Soviet explorer, dismisses the existence of the Yeti, attributing tracks to normal animals and the lack of bones or shelters to the impossibility of humans reverting to a less developed form. The article notes that the Yeti hypothesis is generally considered to be a ground ape, not a Neanderthal relic.

ISC Board Meets in San Diego

This report details the ISC Board of Directors meeting on May 24, 1985, in San Diego. The meeting, hosted by the Hubbs Marine Research Institute, discussed the society's progress and financial status. Concerns were raised about cash flow problems affecting publication schedules, but progress was noted on paying for past journals and increasing institutional subscriptions. The society's membership was reported at 650, with efforts to be made to recover 'dropout' members.

San Diego Membership Meeting

The ISC's third Annual Membership Meeting took place on May 25, 1985, in San Diego, attended by about 60 members. The meeting featured several presentations:

• Richard Greenwell spoke on 'A Proposed Classification System for Cryptozoology,' aiming to provide a cohesive framework for organizing data.
• Forrest Wood presented on 'The Historical Background of the Giant Octopus,' discussing the St. Augustine case and octopus physiology.
• Roy Mackal discussed 'Histological and Amino Acid Analysis of the Giant Octopus Tissue,' detailing ongoing work to support the octopus origin of the St. Augustine tissue and mentioning new information about a supposed giant octopus off Bermuda.
• Tom Williams presented 'The Ri Unmasked: A Lesson for Cryptozoology,' discussing an expedition that identified the 'Ri' or 'Ilkai' as the Indo-Pacific dugong, and noting new dugong behaviors discovered.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the future of cryptozoology and the Society's role. The absence of ISC President Bernard Heuvelmans was noted.

Message from the Editor

J. Richard Greenwell apologizes for the significant delays in producing the current newsletter and journal, attributing them to cash flow problems stemming from the costs of publishing the journal. He assures members that all publications will eventually be delivered. Plans are in place to increase institutional subscriptions to alleviate future financial issues. The production schedule for the remaining 1985 newsletters and the 1986 publications is outlined, with a goal to avoid the journal appearing in the year following its cover date by shifting to an earlier publication schedule. The editor thanks Sustaining Members and Benefactors for their financial support.

Membership Meeting for 1986 Set

Announces that the 1986 ISC Annual Membership Meeting is scheduled for June 14 in Chicago, Illinois, hosted by the University of Chicago's Department of Biology. The meeting will follow a Board of Directors meeting on June 13. The event is described as an informal reunion for members to meet and exchange views, highlighted by illustrated talks.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the challenges of cryptozoological research, particularly concerning Sasquatch and the Loch Ness Monster. There is a clear emphasis on the need for rigorous scientific methodology, factual reporting, and the difficulties encountered when dealing with skepticism and professional resistance. The editorial stance, as conveyed through the 'Message from the Editor' and the society's overall mission, is one of persistent pursuit of evidence and information, despite financial and logistical hurdles. The society aims to serve as a platform for disseminating research and fostering discussion within the cryptozoological community, while also striving for greater scientific credibility and engagement.

The ISC Newsletter, Summer 1985, Vol. 4, No. 2, published by the International Society of Cryptozoology, addresses a significant controversy surrounding the enhancement of photographs related to alleged Loch Ness Monster sightings.

Loch Ness Photograph Enhancement Controversy The lead article critically examines the claims made by Wyckoff of the Academy regarding computer-enhanced photographs, particularly the 1972 'flipper' photos. The authors, Rikki Razdan and Alan Kielar of ISCAN, Inc., argue that Wyckoff's letter attempts to justify subjective enhancement methods, which they deem scientifically unacceptable. They contend that the use of subjective manipulation presupposes knowledge of the image content, which was not possible in this case. The article disputes the Academy's claims of 'spectacular corroboration' from sonar and photographic detection, citing issues with the methodology and the interpretation of sonar charts.

Wyckoff's assertion that Alan Gillespie warned about 'enhancements' being a 'red herring' is labeled a 'complete fabrication.' The authors state that Gillespie actually welcomed their efforts to correct misrepresentations and had previously attempted to bring attention to these distortions himself. They note that other JPL enhancements are equally ambiguous. The article also addresses the Academy's 'invitation' to review original films, explaining that the critics declined due to a prior interaction with Rines where he denied responsibility for his own publications, making a meeting seem unproductive.

Ironically, the authors point out that Wyckoff and Edgerton's own February 1978 IEEE Spectrum article, which first aroused their suspicions, stated that 'there are no water currents in Loch Ness.' This assumption is crucial to their interpretation of their June 19-20, 1975, data. Razdan and Kielar counter that their own sonar tests in the same area revealed strong underwater currents and that the IEEE Spectrum article's method of equating target width with actual trace thickness on sonar charts is erroneous.

The authors conclude that while they are not 'frustrated and disappointed' about their inability to detect a Loch Ness Monster, they are disappointed by the Academy's (AAS) inability to contribute 'worthwhile findings' to the subject. They vow to continue condemning the Academy's efforts to legitimize flawed material.

Wood's Animal Facts This section, abstracted from 'The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats' by Gerald L. Wood, focuses on the wingspans of birds, particularly the wandering albatross. The greatest wingspread is attributed to this species, with adult males averaging 10 feet, 1.75 inches (3.09 meters) and females 10 feet, 2.25 inches (3.11 meters). Studies in Australia found average wingspreads of 9 feet, 10 inches (3 meters), with a maximum of 10 feet, 7.25 inches (3.23 meters).

A particularly large specimen measured 11 feet, 11 inches (3.63 meters) and was caught in the Tasman Sea in 1965. Another bird from Western Australia measured 11 feet, 10 inches (3.6 meters). Historical accounts from the 19th century, including those by Lord Campbell and Dr. George Bennett, suggest that this dynamic soarer can reach and exceed 12 feet (3.7 meters), with one specimen reportedly having a wingspread of 14 feet (4.3 meters).

The newsletter also lists Honorary Members and Benefactors of the International Society of Cryptozoology.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The primary theme of this issue is the critical examination of scientific claims and methodologies, particularly in the field of cryptozoology. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards unsubstantiated or poorly supported evidence, advocating for rigorous, incontrovertible data. The newsletter actively engages in debunking or questioning the findings of organizations like the Academy (AAS) when their methods or conclusions are deemed flawed. The inclusion of 'Wood's Animal Facts' provides a contrast, presenting factual, well-documented information from established sources, likely to reinforce the society's commitment to scientific accuracy.