ISC Newsletter - Vol 09 No 3 - 1990

Magazine Overview

The ISC Newsletter - Autumn 1990, Vol. 9, No. 3

This issue of The ISC Newsletter, published by the International Society of Cryptozoology, covers a significant joint conference and reports on new discoveries and ongoing investigations in the field of cryptozoology.

FOLKLORE AND CRYPTOZOOLOGY SUBJECT OF JOINT CONFERENCE

The primary focus of this issue is the 9th Annual Membership Meeting of the International Society of Cryptozoology, held from July 20-22, 1990, at the University of Surrey in Guildford, England. This meeting was a three-day conference titled "Fabulous Beasts: Fact and Folklore," organized jointly with Britain's Folklore Society. The conference provided a platform for cryptozoologists and folklorists to exchange ideas and establish new working relationships.

ISC Secretary J. Richard Greenwell noted the personal significance of the conference being held near his childhood home. The event featured 20 presentations by speakers from six countries.

The conference began with a welcome by Roy Vickery, Secretary of the Folklore Society, who emphasized the importance of cross-disciplinary meetings. ISC Secretary J. Richard Greenwell highlighted how the two societies could integrate their interests.

Presentations and Themes:

• Aaron M. Bauer (Villanova University) and Anthony P. Russell (University of Calgary) presented on "The Connection Between Cryptozoology and Folklore: Case Histories from the Maori and Basotho Peoples." They discussed how folkloric information, influenced by migration and knowledge of new habitats, can lead to the creation of 'monsters' and cryptozoological investigations.
• Bernard Heuvelmans, ISC President, spoke on "The Metamorphosis of Unknown Animals into Fabulous Beasts, and of Fabulous Beasts into Known Animals." He emphasized folklore's role in cryptozoology and how unknown animals become mythicized, eventually being stripped of their mythological attributes upon scientific discovery.
• William M.S. Russell (University of Reading) discussed "Greek and Roman Monsters," explaining how monsters are constructed from real animals through enlargement, multiplication of parts, or composites. He suggested that monsters not conforming to these patterns might represent real unknown animal species. He also presented evidence of lake monsters and sea serpents depicted in ancient art.
• David Heppell (National Museums of Scotland) explored the question "Was Satan a Giant Squid?--Or the Pedigree of the Basilisk." He traced connections between familiar elements of the Basilisk legend and the probable influence of beached giant squid.
• Isao S. Uemichi (Aichi University) presented on "Dragons and Serpents in Japan," discussing the concept of Japanese dragons and how giant snakes are often indistinguishable from dragons in folklore.
• Claire Russell presented a paper on "The Dragon," discussing its mythical representation as an enlarged and modified snake, symbolizing growing stress and the formation of protective militias or armies.
• Michael Heaney (Oxford University) addressed "Soviet Research into the Abominable Snowman and the Mythology of Cryptozoology," cautioning against accepting Boris Porshnev's evidence at face value due to his eagerness to support his theories.
• John Colarusso (McMaster University), presented by Dr. Bauer, discussed "Linguistics and Cryptozoology," outlining linguistic methodologies for analyzing potential cryptid names.
• Ed Fusch presented "Large Bipedal Hominids as Reported by Spokane and Colville Indians," based on his fieldwork, concluding that large bipedal hominids existed and interacted with these tribes.
• Veronique Campion-Vincent (CNRS, Paris) spoke on "Mystery Cats in France," analyzing 15 years of large felid incidents and their connection to public anxieties about environmental policies and predator reintroduction.
• Jeremy Harte presented "Real Dragons," reviewing historical eyewitness accounts of dragons in medieval Britain.
• Adrienne Mayor discussed "The Origin of the Griffin," proposing that the legend derived from observations of fossils of the late Cretaceous dinosaur Protoceratops.
• Caroline Oates (Folklore Society's Library) gave a talk on "Werewolves, Raw and Cooked: Taxonomy and Evolution of a Mythical Hybrid."
• Barbara Fass Leavy (Queen's College, City University of New York) presented "Animal Mates and Frog Princesses," analyzing the symbolism of animal mates in folklore and negative attitudes towards women's roles.
• Jean-Paul Debenat (University of Nantes) spoke on "Fabulous Beasts of Our Times," discussing how highly symbolic animals are represented in folklore and how a collective bestiary operates at a societal level.
• J.B. Smith (University of Bath) discussed "Swallows, Amazons and Basilisks: Thoughts on the Ancestry of Ransome's Nibthwaite Serpent," linking Arthur Ransome's stories to folklore about the Basilisk and Cockatrice.
• David Heppell and Peter Dance presented "The Horned Hare: Fact, Fiction, or Philosophy?" tracing the belief in horned hares through history.
• Jan-Ojvind Swahn discussed "The Great Lake Monster of Sweden Discussed by a Folklorist," reviewing the history of the Lake Storsjon Monster.
• Phil Underwood presented on "The Morris Beast."
• Bernie Mace discussed fieldwork investigating reports of living thylacines and American pumas in Australia.

Concluding Remarks:

Dr. Vickery stressed the importance of interdisciplinary societies and conferences. He noted the success of the joint meeting and hoped it would be the beginning of many such collaborations. J. Richard Greenwell echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that humans know very little about themselves and their environment, and that the interaction between cryptozoologists and folklorists helps advance understanding.

The conference was considered highly successful, and several speakers were preparing manuscripts for publication in the journals "Folklore" and "Cryptozoology."

BRUCE DAVIS FEARED DEAD

The Secretariat regrets to announce the feared death of ISC Florida member Bruce Davis, his wife Caroline, and their 3-year-old daughter, who disappeared in October 1989 while on vacation near Cedar Key, Florida. Bruce Davis was an active investigator of Skunk Ape reports.

LATE PUBLICATIONS

The Autumn 1990 newsletter is appearing six months late due to financial difficulties. The final Winter 1990 newsletter and the 1990 journal (Vol. 9) are also delayed, with the journal expected in July 1991. Late publications will be mailed to 1990 members.

FIELDWORK FAILS TO FERRET OUT MYSTERIOUS MUSTELID

This section details the intensive investigation into reported sightings of black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada, from late 1988. Despite years of searching by biologists like Tim Clark and extensive fieldwork, no confirmed sightings were made in Canada. The species, once common, declined dramatically due to the decrease in prairie dog populations. While a captive breeding program in the U.S. has been successful, the continued cryptic survival of the species in the wild, particularly in Canada, remains unresolved.

The article discusses the challenges of locating this solitary, subterranean, and nocturnal animal with acute senses. Despite efforts, including tracking and floodlight sweeps, no ferrets were caught or photographed in Canada. The implications are that the species may be extinct in Canada or survives cryptically, a fact already known to researchers like Tim Clark.

YEMEN MONITOR DESCRIBED

The discovery and description of a new monitor lizard species, Varanus yemenensis, from Yemen is reported. The 4-foot long reptile was discovered by Wolfgang Bohme, Ulrich Joger, and Beat Schatti. Comparative studies of its morphology and biochemistry revealed an evolutionary closeness to Varanus albigularis from southern Africa, with a genetic divergence of one to two million years ago, supported by an early Pleistocene land bridge. The authors conclude that V. yemenensis is specifically distinct from its closest relatives in East and South Africa.

MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

J. Richard Greenwell recounts his meeting with Zhou Guoxing, an ISC Board member and Deputy Director of the Beijing Natural History Museum. They discussed the 'Yeren' or Wildman question. Greenwell notes Zhou's objectivity and the impressive exhibits at the museum, including a new exhibit on human evolution and a ceramic head of Gigantopithecus, a potential candidate for the Yeren and Sasquatch. Zhou also allocated space for the Wildman in the exhibit.

CRYPTOLETTERS

This section features letters from readers. Thomas E. Eveland discusses the high proportion of 'black panther' reports in the Eastern USA, suggesting that solar radiation levels might influence the occurrence of black color phases in animals like pumas, gray squirrels, and river otters, explaining why black pumas might be expected in the East but not the West.

Stephen F. Kredel provides a list of eight large mammal species scientifically described since the Society's founding, which were not included in a previous editorial. He asks for comments and suggestions.

J. Richard Greenwell responds to Kredel's list, explaining that his own list was not exhaustive and included species that were not yet scientifically named or described, as well as rediscoveries of known species thought extinct. He clarifies that while some examples are cryptozoological, others are purely zoological, included to showcase medium-to-large animals that continue to elude zoologists.

1991 MEETING PROGRAM

The Society's Tenth Annual Membership Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 20, 1991, at Texas A. & M. University at Galveston. The program includes talks on "Cryptozool-ogy: A Scientific Paradigm of an Age-Old Problem" by Bernd Wursig, "Flying Reptiles in Namibia? Report of an Expedition" by Roy P. Mackal, "Investigating the Wildman in China" by J. Richard Greenwell, "Nessie: An Endothermic Plesiosaur?" by John S. Buckley, "Mokele-Mbembe: Implications of Cow-Calf Relationships for the Physiology of Living Dinosaurs" by Vaughan A. Langman, "The Giant Oriental Salamander Andreas: Did a Miocene Form Persist into Historical Times?" by William E. Evans, and a presentation of archival film "The Return of the Creature" by Forrest G. Wood.

TRANSLATORS NEEDED

The Secretariat is seeking members with working knowledge of French or German for translation work, offering free back issues or membership deductions as recompense.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently covers new species discoveries, the ongoing search for elusive creatures, and the intersection of folklore with cryptozoology. The ISC actively promotes interdisciplinary approaches, as evidenced by the joint conference with the Folklore Society. The editorial stance appears to be one of objective investigation, encouraging rigorous research while acknowledging the challenges and mysteries within the field. There is a clear emphasis on scientific description and evidence-based reporting, even when discussing folkloric elements. The publication also serves as a platform for member contributions and discussions, fostering a sense of community and shared inquiry within the cryptozoological field.

The ISC Newsletter, Autumn 1990, Vol. 9, No. 3, published by the International Society of Cryptozoology, is a quarterly publication that serves as a forum for members to share information and discuss topics related to cryptozoology. This issue features reader contributions on various subjects, including historical animal encounters, mythological creatures, and unusual skeletal finds, alongside a detailed article on the Emperor Penguin.

Reader Contributions

The Roman 'Bear' and East African Finds Gregory W. Detwiler of Williamsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., responds to a query about a Roman 'bear' from East Africa. He suggests that while the Romans did not expand their empire into sub-Saharan Africa, a trapping station could have existed, with local natives possibly involved in trapping animals for the Romans. He posits that this could explain Roman cultural material found as far south as Kenya and that the 'Nandi Bear' might have reached Rome through such means. Detwiler also notes that the only mention of a lost Roman legion in Africa he has encountered is in a Tarzan novel.

The Warracaba Tiger of South America Chad Arment of Lititz, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., inquires about a creature known as the Warracaba Tiger from South American mythology. He cites a reference from 'Among the Indians of Guiana' (1883) which describes this felid, sometimes generically referred to as a 'tiger.' The name is linked to the warracaba bird, possibly due to the cat's cry, color, or prey preference. Arment notes that the Indians feared this creature, stating it was not afraid of fire but hated water and dogs, and that it reportedly hunted in packs. He seeks information on whether this cryptid has been debunked or simply overlooked in modern cryptozoological literature.

Karl P.N. Shuker, in his 1989 book 'Mystery Cats of the World,' is mentioned as having reviewed this topic. The book will be included in a forthcoming cryptozoology bibliography and reviewed in the journal 'Cryptozoology.'

Unusual Skeletons in Mexico Frederick R. "Sandy" Sandborg of Edmonds, Washington, U.S.A., reports an encounter with a local resident in the Western Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico. The resident described finding two unusually large skeletons with traces of blond hair in a mountain cave. The locals are reportedly afraid of the site. Sandborg notes that the surrounding area is populated by Turahumara Indians, who are typically short in stature. He has heard other reports of 'blond' Indians of larger size and plans to investigate the cave. He is interested in hearing from others who may have knowledge of 'blond' Indians in Mexico.

Main Feature: Wood's Animal Facts

The main article, abstracted from 'The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats' by Gerald L. Wood, focuses on the Emperor Penguin (*Aptenodytes forsteri*). The article details its characteristics:

• Size and Weight: Emperor Penguins are the largest marine birds, standing up to 4 feet (1.2m) tall. In a series of 33 adult birds weighed in November, the average was 70.5lb (32kg), with heavier specimens reported. One penguin captured in the Ross Sea weighed 94lb (42.6kg) with a chest measurement of 52 inches (132cm).
• Strength and Vitality: The article recounts an incident where five men from a Scottish whaling ship attempted to pin down an Emperor Penguin without harming it, but were unsuccessful. The penguin reportedly burst leather belts and knocked out the ship's dog with a flipper blow.
• Diving Ability: Emperor Penguins are described as the deepest diving birds in the world. Experiments conducted in 1969 at Cape Crozier involved measuring the diving depths of penguins. Depth recorders were attached to their necks. A total of 238 dives were measured, with the greatest recorded depth being 869 feet (265m) in a vertical plunge by a group of 10 penguins. Dive durations were typically less than a minute, though one bird was observed swimming after 18 minutes. The penguins were not observed to exhale underwater and typically took a few rapid breaths before a deep inhalation prior to diving.

Field Medical Advisor and Honorary Members

The issue lists Michael J. Manyak, M.D., as the Field Medical Advisor. It also lists several Honorary Members, including Andre Capart (Belgium), Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer (South Africa), John Green (Canada), The Lord Hunt of Llanfair Waterdine (U.K.), Marie-Jeanne Koffmann (U.S.S.R.), Ingo Krumbiegel (Germany), Theodore Monod (France), and Robert Titmus (Canada).

Benefactors and Corporate Sponsors

A list of Benefactors is provided, including G.A. Buder, III (U.S.A.), Robert C. Dorion (Guatemala), Michael T. Martin (U.S.A.), Gale J. Raymond (U.S.A.), Hugh H. Trotti, Jr. (U.S.A.), Kurt Von Nieda (U.S.A.), Edward B. Winn (Switzerland), Bette Wolfskill (U.S.A.), and Count F.C. Zedlitz (Argentina). The International Society of Cryptozoology is listed as a Corporate Sponsor.

Archival Material Submission

Members are encouraged to send copies of cryptozoology-related newspaper reports, popular magazine articles, and scientific papers to the ISC Secretariat for archival purposes. The Secretariat emphasizes the importance of clear references for all submissions and notes that while acknowledgments may not always be sent due to mail volume, all items are read, considered for the Newsletter, and preserved.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme in this issue is the exploration of lesser-known or debated animal phenomena, bridging the gap between zoology and cryptozoology. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging members to share diverse information, from historical accounts and mythological creatures to scientific observations. The publication aims to document and preserve such information for future research, acknowledging that it does not serve as a formal scientific record for zoological nomenclature. The inclusion of reader letters and detailed factual articles suggests a commitment to engaging the membership and fostering a community of interest in the study of unknown or unusual animals.