ISC Newsletter - Vol 05 No 3 - 1986

Magazine Overview

The ISC Newsletter, Volume 5, Number 3, published in Autumn 1986, is the official publication of the International Society of Cryptozoology. It covers recent developments and claims related to cryptids and unexplained phenomena.

Mokele-Mbembe: New Searches, New Claims

This major article details recent activities and controversies surrounding the search for Mokele-Mbembe, a creature described as a large, amphibious African animal resembling a sauropod dinosaur. The search for Mokele-Mbembe began in earnest in the 1970s with James Powell collecting reports in Gabon. Bernard Heuvelmans, president of the ISC, had amassed significant information on sightings across Africa, published in his book 'Les Derniers Dragons d'Afrique'. Powell collaborated with Roy Mackal, a University of Chicago biochemist, who proposed the Likouala swamps in the People's Republic of the Congo as a prime location.

An expedition in 1981, led by Mackal and including Richard Greenwell (ISC Secretary) and Herman Regusters (an engineering consultant), gathered new information. However, disagreements soon arose between Mackal and Regusters. Regusters perceived Mackal as inefficient, while Mackal viewed Regusters as prone to exaggeration and having misconceptions. A press conference by Regusters, stating the expedition would enter an area inhabited by headhunters and cannibals, led to a separation in July 1981, with Regusters forming his own expedition.

Both expeditions operated in the Congo in autumn 1981 but did not meet. The Mackal group returned with little new evidence. Regusters, however, claimed to have seen Mokele-Mbembe in Lake Telle, but his photographic evidence was of poor quality. A dispute also occurred over the lake's depth.

In spring 1983, the Congolese government dispatched its own expedition to the Likouala swamps, headed by zoologist Marcellin Agnagna. This team also reached Lake Telle and reported sightings. Agnagna claimed a 20-minute telephoto sighting of a reptilian, sauropod-like animal, believing it to be a dinosaur.

In 1985, Regusters announced plans for a new expedition, frustrated by the media and scientific community's skepticism. The expedition members were to include writer John Sack, paleontologist John Rajca, geologist David Jordt, and chiropractor Kia VanDusen. Rajca's affiliation with the Institute of Creation Research was noted, with the Institute suggesting the expedition had implications for the theory of evolution.

Regusters continued to generate publicity, claiming his previous expedition had been the only one to see the inside of the jungle and return alive. However, the California Institute of Technology disavowed any connection with his expedition.

The Gibbons Expedition

Roy Mackal became interested in leading another expedition after Regusters' plans stalled. Meanwhile, Bill Gibbons, from London, who had jungle survival training, proposed his own search for Mokele-Mbembe. Despite Mackal's reservations about Gibbons' qualifications, he provided information and advice. Mackal canceled his own plans for a spring 1986 expedition to avoid competition with Gibbons.

The British effort, sponsored mainly by the Fortean Times, was unsuccessful in gaining significant support from British institutions. The team, including Mark Rothermel, Jonathan Walls, and Joe Della-Porta, arrived in the Congo in December 1985. They faced extensive bureaucratic hurdles in Brazzaville. Problems arose with customs, disappearing equipment, and alleged sabotage. The Fortean Times reported that Dr. Roy Mackal had sent a letter to the Minister of Economy and Forests urging him to cancel the Gibbons expedition due to lack of financial backing and inexperienced members. The Fortean Times criticized Mackal's actions as a "treacherous attempt to sabotage this effort."

Mackal responded, refuting the sabotage claims and enclosing his letter, which was sent at Gibbons' request. The Fortean Times later published an apology but remained critical of Mackal and J. Richard Greenwell's stance on untrained individuals participating in expeditions.

The Gibbons team met in Impfondo and later moved to Epena and the village of Dzeke. They spoke with an elephant hunter who claimed to have seen Mokele-Mbembe three times. Problems arose between the Gibbons team and Agnagna, leading the team to move to the village of Boha. Negotiations for access to Lake Telle were difficult, but eventually, the village elders granted permission. A trek to Lake Telle revealed no sightings. Further disagreements between Agnagna and the British team led to Agnagna refusing to accompany them.

Back in Impfondo, the team received assistance from Pastor Eugene Thomas and his wife Sandy. Gibbons was converted to Christianity and baptized. The team returned to Point Noire and then to England.

Upon their return, Gibbons denounced Agnagna, accusing him of stealing equipment and disrupting the expedition. Agnagna, in turn, stated that the adventurers were incapable of identifying animals and that their press accounts would be "inventions and lies."

Herman Regusters' Dinosaur Bone Claim

Around the same time as the Gibbons expedition's return, an article by Herman Regusters appeared in 'Pursuit', claiming a dinosaur bone was only a few thousand years old. Regusters stated he used "satellite technology" to find the animal and offered his expertise to design an expedition plan. Despite contacts with government agencies, no federal sponsorship materialized. He then contacted industrial corporations.

Regusters described his 1981 expedition, claiming "voiceprints" from a recording and his dramatic claim of a sauropod dinosaur bone dating from a few thousand years B.P. He linked bones found in Niger, identified as Ouranosaurus (an iguanadontid, not a sauropod), to Mokele-Mbembe. He stated the Ouranosaurus vertebra was from a find only a few thousand years old.

Regusters claimed the bone was examined by experts at various institutions, including the University of California and the U.S. Geological Survey, who supposedly indicated a recent age. However, the article clarifies that Ouranosaurus was an ornithischian, bipedal dinosaur, not a sauropod, and thus did not conform to descriptions of Mokele-Mbembe.

Expert Rebuttals and C-14 Dating Analysis

The Editor sought verification from the experts Regusters named. Rainer Berger stated he was "entirely misquoted" and that the bone shown to him was too old for analysis in his laboratory, which specializes in Pleistocene fossils, not dinosaur fossils. Berger expressed grave doubts about any reports of dinosaurs surviving to the present.

George Jefferson of the Page Museum stated that Regusters' report of their conversation was "incompletely and misleading." Jefferson estimated the bone's age as "several million years old," requiring unusual geological conditions, and felt Regusters focused only on what he wanted to hear.

An analysis of the bone material by the University of Arizona's Accelerator Facility for Radioisotope Analysis yielded dates of about 9,300 years B.P. and 5,600 years B.P. However, the report cautioned that the C-14 dating on calcite was notoriously inaccurate due to ground water exchange, and the smaller organic fraction could be contamination. The report concluded that the dates were likely a result of secondary contamination and that the mineralization indicated the material was beyond the range of C-14 dating.

Tim Jull of the University of Arizona clarified that the 9,300-year date was on carbonate, possibly from secondary alteration, and the 5,600-year date was on a small organic fraction of questionable origin. He stated that the dates were likely due to secondary carbonate contamination and organic contamination, and that the mineralization suggests the material is beyond C-14 dating range.

The article concludes that Regusters' claim of a recent age for the Ouranosaurus vertebra is not supported by scientific analysis, though this does not bear on Mokele-Mbembe sightings themselves.

Giant Fish Reported in China

In August 1985, reports from Beijing, China, via AP and UPI, described the discovery of enormous, red fish in Lake Hanas, Xinjiang Autonomous Region. Professor Xiang Ligai of Xinjiang University stated the "mystery of monsters" was solved, identifying the fish as a giant species of salmon reaching over 30 feet and weighing about 1 ton.

Subsequent inquiries by the ISC Editor, including correspondence with Forrest Wood and consultation with ichthyologists, yielded no immediate results. However, a 1986 article in 'China Reconstructs' provided more details. Lake Hanas is described as being about 500 feet deep and 15 miles long. Local legends speak of "lake monsters" causing large waves. An incident in 1980 involved a 1-ton suspension net, lowered by technicians, which was found "crushed, battered, and violently thrown about" in another part of the lake.

In July 1985, students observed large, reddish shapes on the lake's surface, estimated to be about 1,000 feet distant. One student described them as "fish." Professor Xiang concurred, noting they were found in Arctic Ocean and connected river systems. Photos allowed estimation of one fish's length at over 10 meters (33 feet). By the end of the day, about 60 fish were observable.

An attempt to catch the fish on July 27, 1985, involved large fishhooks, nylon rope, and a raft, baited with sheep legs and later wild ducks. This attempt failed to produce a specimen. The article questions if these are "merely large fish," noting that 30-foot salmon would be phenomenal and that the largest strictly freshwater fish are typically 10 to 15 feet long.

Bluff Creek Remembered

This section revisits the 1967 Patterson-Gimlin film footage of Sasquatch. Bob Gimlin, the less well-known of the two individuals involved, was interviewed by Ed Pehhale of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Gimlin expressed regret for the ridicule he faced and stated his belief in the film, which he claims never profited him financially. He recounted the encounter on a logging road in Bluff Creek, California, where his horse "went bananas" and the creature walked away slowly.

Gimlin confirmed his belief in Sasquatch, stating, "There's no question in my mind, none whatsoever." The article notes that the famous "still" shot from the movie was featured on the cover of the Summer 1984 Newsletter.

Cryptoletters

This section includes letters from readers. One letter from Kym Wilson of Haworth, Oklahoma, reports a sighting of a large, black cat in southeastern Oklahoma, questioning if an undocumented species of panther exists there, similar to the Florida panther. The editor notes that while pumas are reported throughout the Eastern United States, there has never been a verified instance of a black or melanistic puma in North America, though the larger jaguar can be melanistic.

Message From the Editor

J. Richard Greenwell, the Editor, provides information on membership renewal procedures for 1987. He encourages members to wait for the return-renewal envelope and to use it for prompt processing. Membership dues remain $25 for 1987. He also requests members to promptly inform the Society of address changes to avoid publication returns. Sustaining Member donations are also welcomed.

1987 Meetings Scheduled

The Sixth Annual Membership Meeting of the Society is scheduled for July 25-26, 1987, in Edinburgh, Scotland, hosted by the Royal Museum of Scotland. The theme is "The Search for Nessie in the 1980s." The meeting will be a joint event with the Scottish Branch of the Society for the History of Natural History (SHNH). A second day will focus on cryptozoological cats. Members are urged to preregister with David Heppell. Consideration is being given to organizing a bus tour to Inverness and Loch Ness after the meeting.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently focuses on cryptozoology, presenting evidence, expedition reports, and scientific analysis of claims. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious investigation, encouraging detailed reporting and critical examination of evidence, as seen in the detailed debunking of Regusters' claims and the balanced presentation of the Mokele-Mbembe and giant fish reports. The ISC aims to facilitate research and discussion within the cryptozoological community, while also addressing practical matters like membership and meetings.

The ISC Newsletter, Autumn 1986, Vol. 5, No. 3, is a publication of the International Society of Cryptozoology. This issue features reader contributions, cryptozoological discussions, and a dedicated section on "Wood's Animal Facts."

Letters to the Editor

Mokele-Mbembe and Conservation Alastair Boyd of Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England, writes to express concern about a reported reward for skeletal remains of Mokele-Mbembe, as mentioned in Michael Bright's "Unlocking Nature's Secrets." Boyd references an article coauthored by Dr. Mackal in "Cryptozoology" which highlights the depletion of large animals and the human danger in the Congo's Likouala region. Boyd argues that offering a reward for Mokele-Mbembe remains could precipitate this "human danger" and lead to the species' extinction, similar to other unprotected wildlife in the region.

Clarification on "Giant Skunks" Gerald L. Wood of Witham, Essex, England, addresses a previous letter concerning "giant skunks" in Java. Wood investigated a report from the Antara News Agency on May 14, 1977, and found that the animal was not a "giant skunk" but a new variety of giant skink. He notes that giant skinks, such as the blue-tongued giant skink (Tiliqua scinoides) and the prehensile giant skink (Corucia zebrata), measure up to 24-26 inches but weigh only a few pounds, unlike the comparison to a 70 lb. German Shepherd dog. Wood also cautions that the Antara News Agency is akin to the U.S. National Enquirer, suggesting its reports should be taken with skepticism. He provides an example from February 1980 where the agency reported a giant python, 25 meters long, crushing four human corpses after being hit by a bulldozer in N. Bengkulu, SW Sumatra.

Unidentified Animal Artifact Michael D. Swords from Western Michigan University shares information about an artifact housed in the Field Museum of Natural History. The artifact, carved in stone by the Guetar Indians of Costa Rica between 1200-1500 A.D., is listed as an "unidentified animal." Swords suggests this artifact might be relevant to the search for an "American ape" in the Central American highlands and proposes that the Newsletter be used to regularly share such information among members.

Wood's Animal Facts This section, abstracted from "The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats" by Gerald L. Wood, details various large freshwater fish species:

Pa Beuk (Pangasianodon gigas) This giant catfish, found in the Mekong River of Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and China, is considered the largest fish that spends its entire life in fresh water. According to Seidenfaden (1923), it can reach lengths of up to 9 ft. 10 in. (3 m.) and weigh up to 529 lb. (240 kg.). One specimen personally seen measured 8 ft. 2.5 in. (2.5 m.) in length, 5 ft. 7 in. (1.7 m.) in circumference, and weighed 397 lb. (180 kg.).

European Catfish (Silurus glanis) Previously considered the largest freshwater fish, the European catfish or wels is no longer in contention. Kessler (1856) reported specimens from the Dnieper River in European Russia reaching 8-14 ft. (2.4-4.3 m.) and weighing up to 600 lb. (272 kg.). The largest accurately measured wels on record was a 9 ft. 10 in. (3 m.) female caught in the Danube in Romania, now preserved in the National Museum of Natural History in Paris. This species has been dubbed a maneater.

South American Catfishes Several huge catfishes exist in South America. The lau lau (Brachyplatystoma filamentosum) from the Guyana and Amazon rivers can reach a maximum length of 12 ft. (3.7 m.), though 8 ft. (2.4 m.) is considered more realistic. The pirahyba (Piratinga piraiba) of the Amazon River, related to the lau lau, is called the goliath of catfishes. Theodore Roosevelt (1914) was told of a pirahyba measuring 9 ft. 10 in. (3 m.) that had been killed by two men with machetes after attacking their canoe.

Arapaima (Arapaima gigas) Some writers claim the pike-like arapaima, also called pirarucu, found in the Amazon drainage of Brazil and Peru, is the world's largest freshwater fish. Schomburgk reported natives catching pirarucu measuring 15 ft. (4.6 m.) and weighing 400 lb. (181 kg.) in 1836. However, the two longest specimens collected by him measured 8 ft. 1.5 in. (2.48 m.) and 7 ft. (2.13 m.). Paul Fountain claimed to have killed an arapaima weighing 628 lb. (285 kg.) on the Rio Negro, and weights of up to 1,000 lb. (454 kg.) have been reported, though these are considered extreme. Edward McTurk reported killing a 9 ft. (2.7 m.) arapaima that was not weighed.

Editorial Information The newsletter lists its Honorary Members and Benefactors, including individuals from the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, South Africa, Soviet Union, France, Germany, Guatemala, Switzerland, and Guatemala. Corporate Sponsors are also acknowledged. The publication's address is P.O. Box 43070, Tucson, Arizona 85733, U.S.A., and it is noted as a non-profit organization with U.S. postage paid in Tucson, Arizona.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The ISC Newsletter serves as a platform for members to share information and discuss cryptozoological topics, ranging from the existence of unknown animals like Mokele-Mbembe to the clarification of misidentified sightings. The editorial stance appears to encourage rigorous investigation and skepticism, as exemplified by Gerald L. Wood's debunking of the "giant skunk" story and his caution regarding sensationalized news agencies. The inclusion of "Wood's Animal Facts" highlights the society's interest in documented, albeit extraordinary, animal records, providing a blend of cryptozoological inquiry and factual zoological information.