ISC Newsletter - Vol 08 No 4 - 1989

Magazine Overview

The ISC Newsletter, Winter 1989, Vol. 8, No. 4, published by the International Society of Cryptozoology, covers significant events and findings within the field of cryptozoology. The issue features a detailed report on the Society's Eighth Annual Membership Meeting, which included a symposium on Sasquatch evidence, alongside articles on new species discoveries and the passing of Sir Peter Scott.

Pullman Symposium Reviews Sasquatch Evidence

The cover story details the ISC's Eighth Annual Membership Meeting held on June 24-25, 1989, at Washington State University in Pullman. Hosted by Dr. Grover S. Krantz and the Department of Anthropology, the meeting focused on a symposium dedicated to the Sasquatch (Bigfoot) question. The event included presentations by 16 speakers and a panel debate. This symposium followed the Society's successful 1987 Loch Ness Monster symposium in Edinburgh and was the first scientific forum to address Sasquatch in over a decade, since the 1978 Vancouver conference.

The symposium, titled "Sasquatch Evidence: Scientific and Social Implications," was organized by Grover S. Krantz, Vladimir Markotic, and J. Richard Greenwell. Dr. Krantz, a leading Sasquatch investigator, chaired the event, which was open to the public without charge. Following welcoming remarks by Dr. Krantz and comments from the host, read by Don Tyler in the absence of Anthropology Department chairman Geoffrey L. Gamble, the presentations began.

Dr. Gamble's remarks, titled "Academic Problems with Anomalous Research," outlined the challenges faced by administrators when faculty pursue controversial research. He balanced academic freedom with the need to avoid damaging institutional reputation.

The first speaker was Dr. Krantz himself, discussing criticisms of dermal ridge evidence. He agreed to speak when three other scheduled speakers were unable to attend. His presentation addressed criticisms from 'The Skeptical Inquirer' concerning dermatoglyphic evidence from the Walla Walla footprint casts.

Danny Perez presented on "Sasquatch: Extraordinary Claims Require Extraordinary Proof," reviewing various types of evidence and his own fieldwork. Bruce R. Davis spoke on "The Twisted Tree: Additional Tangible Evidence for the Existence of Bigfoot," detailing a twisted oak tree as evidence of immense strength and discussing Bigfoot in Florida, where it is sometimes called the Skunk Ape.

Jack Lapseritis, known for his belief in the psychic nature of Sasquatch, presented on "A Sasquatch Ethos: The Consistent Difficulties Documenting Evidence." Despite controversy, his presentation adhered to the symposium's rule against discussing the paranormal.

Following lunch, James Hewkin, a retired wildlife biologist, discussed "Investigating Sasquatch Evidence and Problems Distinguishing It," suggesting that Sasquatch evidence can be observed by zoologists by recognizing discreet traits and patterns, and he believes a large bipedal primate inhabits the Pacific Northwest.

Lonnie Somer presented on "Morphological Analysis of Possible Sasquatch Hair Recovered from the Blue Mountains of Washington State." Analysis revealed the hairs to be synthetic fibers, suggesting hoaxing.

Tom Steenburg discussed "Researching the Sasquatch in Alberta," noting that information is only recently emerging in the Canadian province.

John Green spoke on "The Case for a Legal Inquiry into the Sasquatch Evidence," proposing that lawyers might be more effective than scientists in gaining interest in Sasquatch reports, given the lack of scientific attention over 30 years. He suggested a binational commission or committee of inquiry.

Mark Francis presented "The Significance of the Zoological Classification of a Sasquatch: Scientific, Philosophical, and Sociological Relevance," suggesting Gigantopithecus as a likely candidate and predicting impacts on zoos, circuses, and outdoor activities.

R. Pennington Smith discussed "Diffusion of a Large Bipedal Hominoid in Asia and North America During the Pleistocene and After," proposing Gigantopithecus evolved in Asia and spread to North America via the Bering land bridge.

Robert Hutchison presented his findings from a Yeti expedition in Nepal, including photographed Yeti tracks.

Vladimir Markotic discussed "Some Stone Figures and Rock Engravings in the New and Old Worlds," suggesting similarities to ape forms in aboriginal depictions.

Paul Freeman's talk, "Bigfoot in the Blue Mountains," was controversial, as he discussed his fieldwork and willingness to shoot an individual if necessary, addressing accusations of hoaxing.

A panel debate, "What Would Happen if Definite Evidence is Found?," was moderated by Dr. Markotic and included J. Richard Greenwell, Leroy Kinnie, Mark Sauter, and Dr. Tyler. The debate addressed legal and moral issues but devolved into negative opinions about science and scientists.

T.V. Show Leads to Reptile Discovery

This article details the discovery of a new species of monitor lizard in North Yemen. Wolfgang Bohme, a zoologist and ISC member, noticed a lizard in a 1985 ZDF television documentary that appeared different from the known desert monitor of Arabia. Obtaining a video copy, he observed its unique climbing behavior and appearance, suggesting it was a new species. In January 1986, Johannes Peter Fritz and Felix Schutte conducted an expedition to Yemen to find the lizard, but were unsuccessful. Walter Auffenburg, an American expert, also viewed the footage and agreed it was likely a new species. In October 1986, Wolfgang Bohme and colleagues successfully located and captured eight specimens of the large lizards in the As Sokhna area. Six were sent to the Zurich Zoo for a breeding colony, and two to Dr. Bohme in Bonn. Horst Kopp, an expert on Yemen, later informed Dr. Bohme of his own previous sightings of similar monitors in North Yemen, confirming the species inhabited more than one locality. The discovery is highlighted as an example of how species unknown to science can be casually observed by unaware individuals.

Sir Peter Scott, 1909-1989

The newsletter announces the death of Sir Peter Scott, a renowned artist, ornithologist, and conservationist, who passed away on August 29, 1989, shortly before his 80th birthday. Sir Peter was elected an Honorary Member of the ISC in 1982 due to his involvement with Loch Ness research. He was instrumental in founding the World Wildlife Fund and designed its panda logo. His interest in Nessie began in 1958, and he was a founding board member of the Loch Ness Investigation Bureau. In 1975, he co-authored an article in Nature with Robert Rines, giving the Loch Ness Monster the scientific name Nessiteras rhombopteryx, which caused significant controversy.

Renewal Information and Sustaining Members

The "Message from the Editor" urges members to renew their memberships for 1990, noting that the current newsletter is the last for 1989. It emphasizes the importance of using the renewal-return envelope to streamline processing. The editor also reflects on the Society's progress since its founding in 1982, stating that the Society's role is to stimulate the search for unverified animals, but actual discoveries are often made by chance.

The "Sustaining Members, 1989" section lists members who contributed above the standard membership fee. The Society is particularly indebted to Benefactors Gus Buder, Robert Dorion, and Bette Wolfskill, and the Academy of Applied Science for their support. The newsletter notes that the number of Sustaining Members for 1989 was 28 less than in 1988, attributing this drop to the recent dues increase. The goal of reaching 1,000 members and 200 Sustaining Members is mentioned as a difficult but ongoing effort.

British Columbia Cryptozoology Club

This section announces the formation of the British Columbia Cryptozoology Club (BCCC), co-founded by ISC members Paul LeBlond and James Clark. The club had grown to 35 members by September 1989 and had produced three newsletters. The article highlights British Columbia as a prime location for cryptozoology, citing reports of "sea serpents," "monster" lakes like Okanagan Lake, and the presence of Sasquatch. It also mentions John Green and Bob Titmus as knowledgeable individuals in the field.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes the scientific investigation of cryptozoological phenomena. It emphasizes the importance of rigorous evidence and theoretical frameworks, while acknowledging the role of chance and public interest in discoveries. The editorial stance is one of encouraging research and discussion, even on controversial topics like Sasquatch, and supporting the growth of local cryptozoology groups. There is a clear distinction made between scientific cryptozoology and paranormal speculation. The newsletter also highlights the Society's efforts to secure funding and membership, underscoring the financial challenges faced by such organizations. The passing of Sir Peter Scott is treated with respect, acknowledging his contributions to both conservation and cryptozoology.

The ISC Newsletter, Winter 1989, Vol. 8, No. 4, is published by the International Society of Cryptozoology and focuses on various aspects of the study of unknown animals.

Sir Peter Scott and the Loch Ness Monster

The issue begins by referencing the rules of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, which allow scientific descriptions based on illustrations. It discusses the controversy surrounding Sir Peter Scott's work on the Loch Ness Monster, where he permitted a scientific description of Nessiteras rhombopteryx. Despite criticism and accusations of a hoax (highlighted by an anagram of the scientific name), Sir Peter Scott maintained his position, stating that underwater pictures left no doubt in his mind about the existence of large animals in Loch Ness. He speculated that these animals might belong to the Sub-Class Synaptosaura and Order Sauropterygia. The article notes that Sir Peter Scott, like other Nessie proponents such as David James and Tim Dinsdale, did not live to see his ideas confirmed. He is remembered as a gentle, considerate man with "determination of steel," whose loss will be deeply felt in the worlds of wildlife conservation and cryptozoology.

Guildford Conference: Final Reminder

Members are reminded of the upcoming conference "Fabulous Beasts: Fact and Folklore," a joint meeting of the Society and Britain's Folklore Society. It is scheduled to take place at the University of Surrey in Guildford from July 19-22, 1990. Details and the program were previously published, but two additional papers from Folklore Society members are highlighted: "Mystery Cats of France" by Veronique Campion-Vincent (CNRS, Paris) and "Animal Mates and Frog Princesses" by Barbara Fess Leavy (Queens College, New York). Interested members are instructed to contact Dr. Roy Vickery at The Folklore Society for more information.

Cryptoletter: A Review of "Bigfoot Dreams"

In the "Cryptoletter" section, Henry H. Bauer of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University reviews "Bigfoot Dreams" by Francine Prose (Pantheon Books, 1986). The novel features a protagonist who writes for a publication like The National Inquirer, adhering to a policy of printing nothing based in reality to avoid lawsuits. Ironically, the protagonist's flights of fancy often turn out to be based on reality. Bauer notes the book's humor and Prose's keen observation of everyday actions. While Bigfoot is a theme, it does not dominate the book, nor does cryptozoology itself. Bauer suspects Prose is either a cryptozoologist or has extensively read Society publications due to the accuracy of her commentary.

Forthcoming Articles

• The newsletter previews upcoming articles for future issues, including:
• A reevaluation of the controversial pygmy elephant, now elevated to a full species.
• A synopsis on the discovery of new lemur species in Madagascar.
• The story of the discovery of a giant, black tree kangaroo in New Guinea.
• A review of the British Big Cat situation.
• Details of the first expedition to China in search of "Wildman" evidence.
• An examination of evidence for thylacines on mainland Australia.
• An annotated bibliography of cryptozoology books published since 1987.
• And more.

Wood's Animal Facts

This section provides detailed information on large marsupials, abstracted from "The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats" by Gerald L. Wood (1982).

Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus)

The largest living marsupial is the red kangaroo, found in the inland plains of central, southern, and eastern Australia. A study of 426 males in western New South Wales found the heaviest specimen weighed 169lb (77kg) and measured 8ft 2in (2.49m) along the body curve. The longest individual was 9ft 5in (2.87m) but weighed less at 154lb (70kg). Researchers suggested this animal was of a bigger frame and would have weighed more if in better condition. Claims of lengths up to 11ft (3.4m) by hunters are mentioned, but the maximum size is estimated to be around 9ft 6in (2.9m) with a weight of 200lb (91kg). Such a kangaroo standing erect could be over 7ft (2.1m) tall.

Adult females are significantly smaller, typically weighing about half of adult males and rarely exceeding 60lb (27kg). The heaviest recorded female weighed 80.3lb (36.4kg) and measured 6ft 9in (2.06m) in total length.

Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)

The eastern grey kangaroo from the forest areas of eastern Australia is generally smaller than the red kangaroo. However, males of the Tasmanian race (Macropus g. tasmaniensis) are more heavily muscled and can rival the largest red kangaroos in size. One "forester" shot in northeastern Tasmania reportedly weighed 180lb (82kg) with a total length of 8ft 8in (2.64m). Another outsized individual measured 9ft 7in (2.92m) along the curves and weighed 200lb (91kg). The preserved skin of this specimen had a "flat" length of 8ft 2in (2.49m).

Honorary Members and Benefactors

The newsletter lists its Honorary Members, including Andre Capart (Belgium), Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer (South Africa), John Green (Canada), and Sir Peter Scott (U.K.), among others. It also lists Benefactors and Corporate Sponsors.

Editorial Stance and Recurring Themes

The ISC Newsletter consistently covers topics related to cryptozoology, including legendary creatures like the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot, as well as lesser-known cryptids and unusual animal facts. The publication appears to maintain a serious, albeit sometimes speculative, approach to these subjects, evidenced by its discussion of scientific nomenclature and the review of a book that humorously blurs the line between fiction and reality in cryptozoology. The inclusion of upcoming articles suggests a broad scope of interest within the field, from reclassifications of known species to expeditions searching for unknown ones. The newsletter also serves as a communication channel for the International Society of Cryptozoology, announcing conferences and acknowledging its members and supporters.