ISC Newsletter - Vol 06 No 4 - 1987

Magazine Overview

The ISC Newsletter, Volume 6, Number 4, Winter 1987, is an official publication of the International Society of Cryptozoology (ISC). It is edited by J. Richard Greenwell and provides updates on the society's activities, research, and news in the field of cryptozoology. The issue details the Sixth Annual Membership Meeting held in Edinburgh, Scotland, and covers various investigations and reports.

The Sixth Annual Membership Meeting: Edinburgh 1987

The ISC's Sixth Annual Membership Meeting took place in Edinburgh, Scotland, on July 25-26, 1987, hosted by the National Museums of Scotland. David Heppell served as chairman for the two-day event, which was the first membership meeting in Britain and the second in Europe. The meeting was jointly held with the Society for the History of Natural History (SHNH), based in London, with approximately 200 ISC and SHNH members in attendance.

Nessie Symposium: 'The Search for Nessie in the 1980s'

The first day's symposium was dedicated to the Loch Ness Monster. Robert H. Rines, President of the Academy of Applied Science, addressed the gathering. Speakers included:

• Richard Fitter: Discussed 'The History of the Loch Ness Monster,' reviewing early sightings and searches, including the work of the Loch Ness Investigation Bureau.
• Roy P. Mackal: Presented 'The Biology of the Loch Ness Monster,' examining various candidates from invertebrates to mammals and discussing the 'trapped' versus 'transient' hypotheses.
• Henry H. Bauer: Spoke on 'Public Perception and the Loch Ness Monster,' analyzing media attitudes towards Nessie over 50 years.
• Paul H. LeBlond: Reported on his analysis of the 1934 Wilson ('surgeon's') photo, estimating the object's size to be about 1.2 meters (4 feet) in height.

'Some Cats of Cryptozoology' Symposium

The second day focused on unknown feline species. Speakers included:

• Di Francis: Presented 'The Case for the British Big Cat,' reviewing evidence for a breeding population of large, unknown felids in Britain, including the 'Surrey puma' and 'Beast of Exmoor.'
• Karl Shuker: Discussed 'The Kellas Cat: An Overlooked Felid from Scotland,' examining specimens and their potential link to a black Transcaucasian wild cat.
• Lena and Paul Bottriell: Spoke on 'The King Cheetah: A New Race in the Making?', proposing that the king cheetah represents a new race adapting to a woodland habitat.
• J. Richard Greenwell and Troy L. Best: Presented 'The Onza: Its History and Biology,' discussing the supposed puma-like cat of Mexico's western Sierra Madre range.
• Victor A. Albert: Spoke on 'The Queensland Tiger-Cat: Evidence for the Possible Survival of the Marsupial Lion, Thylacoleo, Into Recent Times,' reviewing eyewitness reports from Queensland, Australia.

Special Announcements and Honors

• The meeting was dedicated to the memory of David James and Ian Lyster.
• Tim Dinsdale was elected an Honorary Member of the Society, along with three other individuals.
• The proceedings of the Nessie symposium will be published in the Autumn 1988 issue of the Scottish Naturalist.

Giant Bear Sought by Soviets

The newsletter reports on a supposed giant bear, known as 'irquiem' by local reindeer breeders, inhabiting the far northeastern Kamchatka region of Russia. The bear is said to weigh over a ton and stand 1.5 meters at the withers. Dr. Nikolaj K. Vereshchagin of the USSR Academy of Sciences suggests that 'irquiem' might be a surviving descendant of the extinct Ice Age bear, Arctodus simus. Correspondent A. Androshin traveled to the region to investigate, collecting eyewitness reports and a skin sample.

John Napier (1917-1987)

The issue announces the death of British primatologist John Napier at age 70. Napier was an Honorary Member of the ISC and known for his interest in the Sasquatch, publicly entertaining the possibility of its existence. His work significantly impacted primatology, particularly in the evolution and functional morphology of primates. He was instrumental in the description of Homo habilis and authored several influential books, including 'Bigfoot: The Yeti and Sasquatch in Myth and Reality.'

New Honorary Members

Four individuals were elected as Honorary Members of the ISC: Tim Dinsdale (Loch Ness Monster investigator), John Green (Sasquatch authority), Lord John Hunt (Himalayan Yeti investigator), and Robert 'Bob' Titmus (Sasquatch investigator). These individuals are recognized for their significant contributions to cryptozoology.

Message from the Editor

J. Richard Greenwell, the editor, provides an update on the Society's status. Membership has grown to nearly 800, with 125 Sustaining Members. The Society is facing financial challenges due to the need to purchase a new computer and relocate its offices. Members are encouraged to make donations to support these initiatives.

1988 Membership Meeting

The 1988 ISC Membership Meeting is scheduled for May 14 at the University of Maryland, College Park, with several speakers planned on topics ranging from deep-sea sharks to sea serpent sightings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently covers a wide range of cryptozoological topics, from well-known mysteries like the Loch Ness Monster to lesser-known creatures and ongoing scientific investigations. The ISC appears to maintain an objective yet open-minded stance, encouraging research and the sharing of information while acknowledging the challenges and controversies within the field. The editorial emphasizes the importance of continued support from members to sustain the Society's operations and research endeavors. The passing of prominent figures like John Napier and the election of new honorary members highlight the Society's connection to the history and development of cryptozoology.

The ISC Newsletter, Winter 1987, Vol. 6, No. 4, is a cryptozoology publication featuring articles on prominent researchers and animal facts.

John Hunt: On the Track of Sasquatch

This section profiles John Hunt, a brigadier with extensive experience in mountaineering and cryptozoology. Hunt's involvement with the Yeti problem began in 1937 with an encounter on the Zemu Glacier in the Himalayas. He has since advocated for Yeti investigation and has found more tracks in the Khumbu Glacier. His mountaineering achievements include leading the 1953 British Mount Everest Expedition, which successfully placed Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on the summit. Hunt has authored several books, including "Sasquatch: The Apes Among Us," considered a definitive work on the subject. He has held significant positions in mountaineering and geographical societies and was made a Life Peer as Lord Hunt of Llanfair Waterdine.

Robert Titmus: Sasquatch Tracker

Robert Titmus, from Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada, is highlighted for his nearly fifty years of experience tracking and hunting in the Pacific Northwest. His fieldwork has led him to believe in the existence of Sasquatch, and his current efforts are dedicated to proving it. Titmus served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and had his first potential Sasquatch sighting while in uniform. He has had subsequent sightings and has reportedly tracked the animals numerous times. Titmus possesses the largest collection of Sasquatch track casts and has recovered hair specimens for scientific analysis. He is described as a quiet individual who prefers to work in the background and shares his information freely with interested scientists. He is a major source for John Green's works.

Wood's Animal Facts: The Anaconda

This section, abstracted from "The Guiness Book of Animal Facts and Feats," discusses the anaconda (Eunectes murinus), particularly focusing on its size and the challenges in accurately measuring its length. The article notes that while anacondas are the heaviest of giant serpents, their bulk can be misleading for length estimation. It warns that skin measurements can be unreliable as skins can be deliberately stretched by up to 30 percent. Several extreme measurements are cited: a 27 ft. 9 in. anaconda shot in Brazil by W.L. Schurz in 1962, another near Iquitos measuring 26 ft. 9 in., and one killed in eastern Brazil around 1948 at 26 ft. 3 in. The article references Dr. Afranio do Amaral's acceptance of an 11.28 m (37 ft.) record and a report of an anaconda over 11.6 m (38 ft.) killed in southern Brazil in 1913. Dr. Amaral concluded that the maximum length likely falls between 12 m (39 ft. 4 in.) and 14 m (45 ft. 11 in.). The text suggests that the immense bulk of large anacondas necessitates a semi-aquatic lifestyle, living permanently in rivers or lakes once they reach lengths of 28-30 ft. The article also mentions a reported 10.25 m (33 ft. 7.2 in.) anaconda killed in Colombia in 1956, and another near the Colombia-Venezuela border credited at 37 ft. 6 in. A highly questionable measurement of 62 ft. by Col. P.H. Fawcett in 1907 is also discussed, with the conclusion that such a length, given the snake's diameter, must be considered excessive.

Cryptoletters

The "Cryptoletters" column is announced to return in the Spring 1988 issue, as there was no space for letters in the current issue.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue strongly emphasizes the pursuit of evidence and scientific investigation within cryptozoology, particularly concerning the Yeti and Sasquatch. The profiles of John Hunt and Robert Titmus highlight their dedication and extensive fieldwork. The "Wood's Animal Facts" section, while focusing on anaconda measurements, underscores the importance of reliable data and the critical evaluation of anecdotal evidence. The publication appears to support serious research into unexplained phenomena, encouraging scientific involvement and the collection of verifiable data.