ISC Newsletter - Vol 06 No 3 - 1987

Magazine Overview

The ISC Newsletter, Autumn 1987, Vol. 6, No. 3, is the official publication of the International Society of Cryptozoology. It serves as a communication channel for members and institutional subscribers, providing updates on the society's activities, research, and publications.

Cryptozoology Books 1980 - 1987

The main feature of this issue is an extensive annotated bibliography of 34 books on cryptozoology published between 1980 and 1987. This list is a continuation of a previous bibliography published in the Summer 1983 Newsletter, including works published since then, as well as those from 1980-1983 that were missed previously. The entries provide details such as author, title, publication year, publisher, price, page count, and a brief description of the book's content and scope. Many entries also note whether the book includes photos, references, a bibliography, or an index, and whether it has been reviewed in the society's journal, Cryptozoology.

The subjects covered in these books are diverse and include:

• Lake Monsters: Nessie (Loch Ness Monster), Champ (Lake Champlain Monster), Ogopogo, and other lake monsters.
• Hominoids: Bigfoot, Sasquatch, Yeti, Almas, Chinese Wildman, and Neanderthal man.
• Other Creatures: Sea serpents, giant sharks, cephalopods, giant anacondas, monitor lizards, Mokele-Mbembe, surviving mammoths, ground sloths, feral children, European mystery animals, the thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger), and the king cheetah.
• Miscellaneous Mysteries: Phantom trains, spooky spots, sea and sky phenomena, Thunderbird and Big Bird reports, and urban cryptids.

Some of the notable books and authors featured include:

• Jean-Jacques Barloy's "Les Survivants de l'Ombre" (1985), a modern cryptozoological review.
• Henry Bauer's "The Enigma of Loch Ness: Making Sense of a Mystery" (1986), examining the Loch Ness problem from a scientific perspective.
• Ronald Binns's "The Loch Ness Mystery: Solved" (1983), which critiques previous proponents of the Loch Ness Monster.
• John Blashford-Snell's "Mysteries: Encounters With the Unexplained" (1983), covering various unexplained phenomena.
• Janet and Colin Bord's "The Evidence for Bigfoot and Other Man-Beasts" (1984), a world review of Sasquatch-like reports.
• Lena G. Bottriell's "King Cheetah: The Story of the Quest" (1987), exploring the possibility of a new subspecies of cheetah.
• Jim Brandon's "The Rebirth of Pan: Hidden Faces of the American Earth Spirit" (1983), which posits that Earth is a superorganism.
• Loren Coleman's "Mysterious America" (1983) and "Curious Encounters" (1985), covering a wide range of North American mysteries.
• Myra Shackley's "Wildmen: Yeti, Sasquatch and the Neanderthal Enigma" (1983), an archaeologist's analysis of the 'wildman' problem.
• Joseph W. Zarzynski's "Champ: Beyond the Legend" (1984) and "Monster Wrecks of Loch Ness and Lake Champlain" (1986), focusing on lake monsters.

News & Notes

This section provides brief news capsules of cryptozoological interest.

• Przewalski's Horse: The article discusses the status of Przewalski's horse (Equus przewalskii), a wild horse that was never domesticated. Once ranging across Europe and Asia, it retreated to remote parts of Asia and was thought to be extinct in the wild by 1969. Fortunately, approximately 600 individuals survive in captivity, and efforts are underway to reintroduce the species into its natural habitat.

• New Crocodile in Lake Edward: A 7-foot Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) was sighted in Lake Edward, Uganda. This is significant because there have been no crocodiles in the lake for 8,000-10,000 years, with the Semliki River falls previously thought to be an impassable barrier for their migration.

• Prickly Situation in Brazil: A Brazilian zoologist discovered a pregnant female of the thin-spined porcupine (Chaetomys subspinosus) in the Atlantic coast forests. This species, which had not been scientifically reported since 1952, is considered to be phylogenetically intermediate between porcupines and spiny rats.

• The Canadian Caper: Reports of kangaroo sightings in Nova Scotia, Canada, emerged in late 1986 and early 1987. The Halifax News offered a reward for the first authentic photograph of the animal.

Message from the Editor

J. Richard Greenwell, the editor, discusses the editorial processes and challenges involved in publishing the society's journal, Cryptozoology. He explains that manuscripts are sent to referees for evaluation, and authors are expected to adhere to the journal's style and format, particularly regarding referencing. The process involves multiple stages of review, correction, and typesetting, often leading to delays due to the complexities of scholarly publishing and the need for authors to make revisions. Greenwell emphasizes the society's commitment to quality and its democratic approach to publishing, where all authors are treated equally regardless of their status.

Cryptoletters

This section features correspondence from readers:

• John Colarusso from McMaster University writes about the Onza, suggesting that its distinct genetic identity, despite potential interbreeding with pumas, indicates it may be a new species of big cat.

• Jack Lapseritis from Roseburg, Oregon, shares an account of a large catfish (piranha) sighting in the Amazon River, which had reportedly consumed a boy. He also references the Cousteau Almanac's mention of the pirarucu, the world's largest freshwater fish.

• Jack Lapseritis also comments on a review of Ivan T. Sanderson's "Abominable Snowmen: Legend Come to Life," arguing that the book was neglected and is a crucial reference work for cryptozoology.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the documentation and study of cryptozoological phenomena, with a strong emphasis on published literature. The bibliography of books highlights the breadth of research and interest in the field. The 'News & Notes' section demonstrates the ongoing discovery and reporting of unusual animal sightings and occurrences, suggesting that cryptozoological subjects remain active areas of investigation. The editorial stance, as articulated by J. Richard Greenwell, is one of rigorous academic inquiry, emphasizing the importance of peer review, constructive criticism, and the pursuit of quality in scholarly publications. The society aims to be a scientific entity, evaluating all submissions on their merits. The inclusion of reader letters indicates an engaged membership interested in discussing and debating various aspects of cryptozoology.

The ISC Newsletter, Autumn 1987, Volume 6, Number 3, is an issue of the International Society of Cryptozoology. It features letters to the editor and an article on animal facts.

Letters to the Editor

Yeti Footprint Hypothesis

Henry H. Bauer from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University writes to discuss the hypothesis of print enlargement and distortion by melting, as mentioned in a previous article on the Yeti. Bauer suggests that sublimation, where snow evaporates directly rather than melting into water, is a more likely mechanism. He argues that sublimation can cause considerable enlargement without the gross distortions that melting might produce, and it can occur even at low temperatures if the air is dry and windy. Bauer recounts an observation of his cat's tracks increasing in size due to sublimation without melting. He proposes that systematic study of sublimation's effects on snow tracks could be valuable for cryptozoology.

Acknowledgment of Yeti Article

Daniel Taylor-Ide, Director of Woodlands Mountain Institute, commends the editor for the thorough and comprehensive article on the Yeti published in the Winter 1986 issue of the Newsletter. He expresses relief that he does not have to undertake the task of compiling recent updates on Yeti literature himself.

Lost Journal and Replacement

Francis B. Randall of New York writes to express his enjoyment of "Vol. 5 of Cryptozoology" which he read on vacation in Haiti. He recounts a harrowing experience where his aircraft crashed into the sea on the way home, and he and his daughter were the sole survivors after spending two nights and a day in the sea. Unfortunately, his issue of Cryptozoology sank with the plane. He requests another copy and offers to pay for it. The editor sent a replacement copy without charge, stating that payment was not necessary under the circumstances. Randall, however, insisted on sending a check for $15, stating that scientific societies should not be penalized for members' misadventures.

WOOD'S ANIMAL FACTS

This section, abstracted from "The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats" by Gerald L. Wood, focuses on the world's heaviest modern flying birds, primarily various species of bustards.

Kori Bustard

The Kori bustard, or paauw (Ardeotis kori), found in East and South Africa, is identified as the world's heaviest modern flying bird. While weight data is scarce, a 30-lb. cock bird is considered large, and hens are lighter. One notable record is of a paauw shot by H. T. Glynn in South Africa that weighed 40 lb. (18.2 kg.). Another sportsman, Carl Schneritz, reported shooting two big bustards in the Transvaal in 1889; the larger had a 9 ft. wingspan and weighed 37 lb. (16.8 kg.). A scientific expedition in 1959 shot a Kori bustard in southwest Africa that weighed 35 lb. (15.9 kg.). This long-legged bird is a swift runner and has powerful, sustained flight at low altitudes.

Great Bustard and Other Species

The great bustard (Otis tarda) of Europe, Africa, and Asia is also credited as the heaviest flying bird, based on an isolated record of a USSR cock bird that weighed 46 lb. (21 kg.) and likely could not fly. Normal weight for adult cock birds ranges from 24-35 lb. (11-16 kg.). Weights exceeding 30 lb. (13.6 kg.) have been reported for the great Arabian bustard (Ardeotis arabs). Blanford noted weights up to 40 lb. (18.1 kg.) for the rare great Indian bustard (A. nigriceps), with a normal range of 25-30 lb. (11.3-13.6 kg.). Gilliard states the Australian bustard (A. australis) is probably the heaviest of all flying birds, with a maximum recorded weight of 32 lb. (14.5 kg.) for a cock bird killed in Victoria.

Weight Limits for Flight

The article concludes that the upper weight limit for a modern flapping bird is around 40 lb. (18 kg.). Exceeding this weight would necessitate flight muscles that occupy a larger proportion of the bird's mass, making it difficult to maintain other essential functions.

Editorial Information

The issue lists Honorary Members and Benefactors of The ISC Newsletter, including individuals from Belgium, South Africa, the Soviet Union, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Guatemala, and the United States. Corporate Sponsors are also listed. The publication is from The International Society of Cryptozoology, P.O. Box 43070, Tucson, Arizona 85733, U.S.A., with a non-profit organization status and paid postage permit.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the scientific investigation of anomalous phenomena (Yeti footprints) and the cataloging of natural world records (heavy birds). The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging rigorous scientific inquiry, as evidenced by the discussion on sublimation and the detailed presentation of animal facts. The publication also demonstrates a supportive stance towards its members, as shown by the editor's response to Francis B. Randall's unfortunate incident.