ISC Newsletter - Vol 06 No 2 - 1987

Magazine Overview

The ISC Newsletter, Volume 6, Number 2, published in Summer 1987, is an official publication of the International Society of Cryptozoology. This issue features an in-depth interview with physical anthropologist Grover S. Krantz, alongside articles on the "Memphré" lake monster and a critique of tabloid journalism.

Interview with Grover S. Krantz

J. Richard Greenwell, Editor of the ISC Newsletter, interviews Grover S. Krantz, an Associate Professor of Anthropology at Washington State University, specializing in human evolution. Krantz states his belief in the existence of an unknown, bipedal primate in North America, which he identifies as Sasquatch.

Krantz bases his hypothesis primarily on the consistency and anatomical structure of eyewitness reports and, most significantly, on footprint evidence. He highlights the 1982 Walla Walla tracks, which showed dermal ridges, as being extremely difficult to fake. He also mentions the controversial "Minnesota Iceman" and Bernard Heuvelmans' analysis of it.

Krantz posits that Sasquatch belongs to the zoological family Hominidae, making it a close relative to humans, and is likely the living form of the fossil genus *Gigantopithecus*. He argues that bipedalism itself does not necessarily correlate with higher human intelligence, and that the vocal tract changes related to human speech may have occurred much later than previously thought.

He acknowledges that his research on Sasquatch has had a detrimental effect on his academic career, causing him to miss promotions and pay raises. However, he remains committed to his scientific pursuit, viewing it as a legitimate area of study.

Krantz discusses the implications of Sasquatch's existence for paleoanthropology, suggesting it could help debunk the hypothesis linking bipedalism directly to increased intelligence and potentially clarify the evolution of the human vocal tract.

He notes that Sasquatch elicits more emotional responses than other cryptozoological candidates due to its perceived closeness to humanity.

Regarding the "Chinese Wildman," Krantz states that while evidence is not conclusive, there's a reasonable probability of its existence, and he finds it easier to propose it as a subspecies of Sasquatch rather than a separate species.

Krantz is convinced that only a physical specimen—bones or the entire animal—will be accepted by the scientific community to prove Sasquatch's existence. He has developed strategies for obtaining a specimen, including driving at night with a rifle and proposing a project to hire expert hunters. He also discusses using a helicopter with an infrared imager to locate carcasses that have died of natural causes, aiming to find a specimen without killing one, though he ultimately prefers a natural death specimen.

He explains his controversial stance on killing a Sasquatch, arguing it is necessary to prove existence, study anatomy, and potentially implement conservation measures before the species becomes extinct. He also mentions the possibility of tranquilization but deems it impractical.

Krantz notes that while forensic fingerprint experts find the Walla Walla track casts authentic, most physical anthropologists are skeptical, possibly due to fear of another Piltdown Man-like hoax and the potential embarrassment of having missed such a significant discovery.

Memphré Christened, Given Dual Citizenship

This section reports on the "Memphré" monster of Lake Memphremagog in Quebec, Canada. Two local residents, Jacques Boisvert and Barbara Malloy, founded the International Dracontology Society of Lake Memphremagog. An international agreement was signed between the cities of Magog, Quebec, and Newport, Vermont, granting the monster "dual citizenship." Boisvert coined the name "Memphré" and conferred the title of "first female dracontologist of North America" on Mrs. Malloy, who had a personal sighting in 1983.

Dracontology is defined as the study of lake-dwelling creatures. The agreement calls for Memphré's protection and scientific investigation. The article notes that 46 Memphré sightings involving 97 witnesses have been recorded since 1816.

Despite the efforts of the society, some local residents remain skeptical. The article also mentions sightings of other lake monsters like "Champ" of Lake Champlain and "Nessie" of Loch Ness, and discusses theories about their nature, including giant pinnipeds or primitive cetaceans.

The Tabloids That Time Forgot

This article critically examines sensationalized headlines and claims found in weekly tabloid newspapers, such as "Bigfoot Stole My Baby" or "Living Dinosaurs!" The Society generally ignores these claims due to their unreliability and the vast resources required for refutation.

The article highlights two specific tabloid stories: one from "The Sun" (August 27, 1985) about "Dinosaur Captured in Africa" (Mokele-Mbembe), and another from "Weekly World News" (April 21, 1987) titled "Living Dinosaurs!" detailing a supposed expedition in the Amazon jungle.

The author points out tell-tale signs of fabrication in tabloid articles, including vague sourcing, lack of verifiable details, and the absence of follow-ups. The article suggests that these stories are created solely for profit and have little to do with journalism, science, or cryptozoology. The example of the "Dinosaur Captured in Africa" story is analyzed, noting its geographical inaccuracies and reliance on sensationalism.

Message from the Editor

J. Richard Greenwell expresses gratitude to members for their donations, which are crucial for the Society's operations, especially since annual dues have remained at $25 since 1982. He notes that 1985 was financially difficult but 1986 showed improvement, with 1987 being the best year yet for publications and membership. The Cryptozoology Operations Foundation Group (COFG) was created to help the Society financially. The membership renewal rate has been higher, with about 500 renewals and new members by June 30. The Society aims to remain relatively small with a solid support base rather than expanding into a large bureaucracy.

Cryptoletters

This section includes a letter from a reader who disagrees with the idea that offering a reward for Mokele-Mbembe remains would lead to extinction, arguing it's an environmental issue. The editor reserves the right to shorten or edit letters.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently adopts a rigorous, scientific approach to cryptozoology, emphasizing evidence-based research and critical analysis. The editorial stance is one of cautious skepticism towards sensationalism, particularly from tabloid media, while actively pursuing and discussing credible evidence, such as the footprint analysis presented by Grover Krantz. The Society's commitment to scientific investigation, member support, and maintaining a focused operational scope is evident throughout the issue. There is a clear distinction made between scientific inquiry and speculative or fabricated accounts.

The ISC Newsletter, Summer 1987, Vol. 6, No. 2, published by the International Society of Cryptozoology, focuses on reports and discussions related to cryptids and unusual animal phenomena.

Mokele-Mbembe Expedition Clarifications

Roy P. Mackal addresses misconceptions about his expeditions in the Congo in search of the Mokele-Mbembe. He clarifies that no monetary reward was offered for remains, as local populations have little appreciation for U.S. dollars. Instead, he stated that finding remains would be greatly appreciated, and arrangements would be made for collection. He also mentions offering a .458 Winchester rifle and ammunition to a native hunter for his professional activities, not for killing the creature. Mackal expresses a desire to obtain a live specimen for preservation under conditions similar to its natural habitat, emphasizing that isolating one individual would not lead to extinction if the species has survived since the Cretaceous period. He highlights the necessity of a protected biospheric preserve for the entire Likouala region, a plan presented to the World Wildlife Fund.

Ethiopian Mystery and Vampire Bats

Malcolm Smith writes from Brisbane, Australia, regarding a passage in Byron de Prorok's book "Dead Men Do Tell Tales." The book describes an archaeological expedition to Ethiopia and a visit to Devil's Cave, inhabited by hyenas and bats called "death birds" by locals, who claimed they fed on human blood. Smith points out that de Prorok, being an archaeologist rather than a zoologist, may have overlooked that vampire bats are strictly Neotropical animals, suggesting that the "death birds" might not be vampire bats. He notes that the current political situation in Ethiopia might delay further zoological investigation.

Giant Fish and Sturgeon Records

Hugh H. Trotti, Jr. from Decatur, Georgia, discusses reports of giant freshwater fish, referencing a previous newsletter item about a fish reported in China. He cites Marco Polo's account of a fish found in a dried-up riverbed that was "fully 100 paces long" and had a "hairy" body. Trotti compares these reports to freshwater sturgeon, noting that sturgeon can be longer than giant catfish, though catfish might be heavier. He mentions a "lake monster" in the West that was identified as a sturgeon when the lake was drained. Trotti concludes that sturgeon are a strong contender for "biggest."

Wood's Animal Facts: Giant Sturgeon

This section, abstracted from "The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats" by Gerald L. Wood, details historical records of exceptionally large sturgeon.

Russian Sturgeon (Husso husso) or "Beluga"

• A gravid female caught in the Volga in 1869 weighed 2,760 lb. (1,252 kg.).
• Dr. Leo S. Berg (1962) documented a gravid female from the Volga estuary in 1827 that measured 24 ft. (7.3 m.) and weighed 3,249 lb. (1,474 kg.).
• Another gravid female caught in the Caspian Sea in 1836 weighed 3,218 lb. (1,460 kg.).
• A third weighing 3,200 lb. (1,452 kg.) was taken in the Volga in 1813.

Kaluga or Daurian Sturgeon (Husso dauricus)

• The largest specimen listed by Soldatov (1915) measured 13 ft., 8 in. (4.18 m.) and weighed 1,193 lb. (541 kg.).
• Berg (1932) quotes weights of 1,807 lb. (820 kg.) and 2,513 lb. (1,140 kg.) for two other specimens.

White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus)

• A specimen caught in the Columbia River at Astoria, Oregon, USA, in 1892, was exhibited at the World's Fair in Chicago the following year and was stated to have weighed over 2,000 lb. (907 kg.), though this poundage could not be confirmed.
• There are claims of a 1,500 lb. (680 kg.) white sturgeon taken from the Weiser River, Washington, in 1898, and another from the Snake River, Oregon, in 1911.
• The official record is held by a 12-foot, 6-inch (3.81 m.) fish taken in the Columbia River near Vancouver, Washington, in 1912, which weighed 1,285 lb. (583 kg.).

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

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently explores topics at the fringe of zoology and cryptozoology, including legendary creatures like the Mokele-Mbembe and reports of unusually large or unknown animals. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting reports and scientific clarifications, while also acknowledging the challenges and limitations in investigating such phenomena, particularly due to geographical and political factors. There is a clear interest in documenting and verifying extraordinary animal claims, with a focus on historical records and scientific data where available.