ISC Newsletter - Vol 12 No 1 - 1993-96

Magazine Overview

Ground Sloth Survival Proposed Anew

The lead article, "Ground Sloth Survival Proposed Anew," explores the possibility of extant ground sloths, focusing on recent proposals linking them to the Amazonian mapinguari legend. It begins by describing the extinct ground sloths of the Pleistocene epoch, noting their large size and classification within the Order Xenarthra. The article traces the history of interest in modern survival back to the late 19th century, particularly the discovery of a fresh-looking mylodontid skin in Eberhardt Cave, Patagonia, in 1898. This find led Florentino Ameghino to describe a new species, *Neomylodon listai*, after a geographer named Ramon Lista who had previously reported seeing a pangolin-like quadruped. Despite initial skepticism, Ameghino's belief was bolstered by the skin's appearance, though it was later determined to be thousands of years old. The skin itself, found in a cave on the Chilean side of the Argentina-Chile border, was studied by several scientists, including Otto Nordenskiold and Francisco Moreno, who concluded it was not recent but preserved.

The article then delves into more recent evidence and theories. Zoologist David Oren, working in the Amazon Basin, has collected numerous eyewitness reports of an animal called the mapinguari, which he proposes is a medium-sized ground sloth. Oren's research suggests the mapinguari exhibits characteristics consistent with ground sloths, such as long reddish hair, immense strength, a tough skin, a distinctive call, and feet turned backwards. He hypothesizes that these animals may have recently gone extinct in most of the Amazon region but could still survive in small numbers, particularly in westernmost Brazilian Amazonia.

Heuvelmans' earlier prediction that the best place to search for surviving ground sloths would be the equatorial tropical forests of the Amazon Basin, rather than the open Patagonian landscape, is revisited. Oren's work provides context for a previously enigmatic sighting in Ecuador of a strange, long-haired animal. The article also touches upon the survival of smaller-sized ground sloth species within the Family Megalonychidae on Caribbean islands, possibly up to the time of Columbus.

Carbon-14 dating of ground sloth remains from various sites, including Eberhardt Cave, generally places them at 8,600 to 13,000 years old, with one exception from northern Chile dated at 4,400 years old, though its dating is considered unreliable. New evidence from the late 1970s suggested survival in Eberhardt Cave as recently as 5,000 years ago, but this was based on stratigraphy, not radiocarbon dating, and is not universally accepted.

Oren's paper, "Did Ground Sloths Survive to Recent Times in the Amazon Region?", is highlighted. He outlines five reasons why ground sloths have not previously been linked to the mapinguari: the assumption of their mythical status, descriptions often leading investigators astray (e.g., towards primates), nocturnal habits, avoidance by locals due to their fearsome appearance, and the difficulty of finding remains due to rapid decay in the forest.

Oren's new expeditions have yielded testimony from six witnesses who claim to have killed mapinguaris. Their descriptions include reddish or blackish hair, large claws, a mule- or horse-like snout, four large canine teeth, and an unpleasant stench. Oren also has molds of what he believes are ground sloth tracks and suggests that the mapinguari might be a megalonychid, known for rapid locomotion when threatened, rather than a mylodontid. Despite the lack of conclusive physical evidence, Oren is confident that the mapinguari legend is based on human contact with forest-dwelling mylodontid ground sloths.

Second African Coelacanth Found

This article reports on the capture of a second African coelacanth specimen off the coast of Mozambique in August 1991, 52 years after the initial discovery in East London, South Africa, by Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer in 1938. The first specimen, *Latimeria chalumnae*, was believed to be an Ice Age form extinct for 80 million years. Ichthyologist J.L.B. Smith, who formally named the fish, doubted its South African origin, suspecting it was a stray carried by the Mozambique Current. Subsequent specimens, numbering around 200, have all come from the Comoro Islands.

The Mozambique specimen was retrieved from a trawl at a depth of 130-145 feet, over a sandy bottom, which differs from the rocky crevices and caves inhabited by the Comoros population at depths of about 650 feet. The capture site is approximately 740 miles from the Comoros population.

The captured coelacanth, a large female measuring 5 feet, 10.5 inches and weighing 216 lbs, was the heaviest specimen ever. It contained 26 juveniles, providing valuable data on reproductive biology. The specimen was skinned and mounted for display, with the internal organs discarded. Ten juveniles were sent to Dr. Hans Fricke's institute in Germany, and ten to the J.L.B. Smith Institute in South Africa, with the remaining six preserved in Maputo.

Scientists, including Fricke and Mike Bruton, believe the Mozambique specimen, like the first, may have been a stray carried by the Mozambique Current. They emphasize the need for continued monitoring of native fisheries and the use of submersibles to establish whether further coelacanths occur off the African coast. Concerns are raised about the low population size (estimated at 150-200 individuals) and the potential threat from commercial interests, such as private collectors and museums. Trade in coelacanths was banned in 1989, and the species was upgraded to Schedule 1 of CITES.

Sixteenth Century Russian Crocodile Account

This section details an article by Russian scholars Boris V. Sapunov and Valentin B. Sapunov, published in "Chemistry and Life" (No. 3, 1989), concerning a 1582 chronicle describing 'terrible animals, that is crocodiles' in Pskov, Russia. The authors address two main questions: the correct identification of the animals and their presence in Russia.

They conclude that the animals were indeed crocodiles, based on the historical context and the clear understanding of the word 'crocodile' in 16th-century Russia. Regarding their presence, the authors propose that the crocodiles were temporarily introduced into the wild by animal traders. They suggest that a caravan of Arab merchants, possibly from Egypt, may have transported them to Russia as a gift or for carnival exhibits. The article notes that Russia had contact with Egypt in the 16th century, and that similar exotic animal exhibitions were common.

An alternative hypothesis suggests that the crocodiles may have been transported via river routes using special fish barges. The authors acknowledge that they cannot definitively prove their hypothesis but are confident that human introduction is consistent with reptile physiology and Russian history. They also note that the animals could not have survived the Russian winters and that no other reports of crocodilians in Russia exist from that period.

Editorial: So You Want to Be a Cryptozoologist...

J. Richard Greenwell, Editor, addresses the influx of letters from young people interested in cryptozoology. He categorizes these into three groups: elementary schoolchildren seeking 'everything available' on monsters, middle and high school students writing class reports, and those with a more intellectual interest seeking advice on academic pursuits.

Greenwell explains that the Society lacks the resources for public education programs and cannot fulfill all requests from schoolchildren. He clarifies that there are no dedicated academic departments or programs in cryptozoology at any college or university. Instead, he advises interested students to pursue cryptozoology within established zoological disciplines (e.g., mammalogy, population ecology) or social sciences (history, linguistics). He stresses the importance of maintaining a low-key interest in cryptozoology during scholarly studies and ensuring that it does not jeopardize career prospects, particularly regarding tenure or promotion. He emphasizes that cryptozoology should be pursued scientifically, even if not always perceived as such by decision-makers.

Quotes

The issue includes several quotes from notable figures:

• "Poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese." - G. K. Chesterton
• "It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly, one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts." - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
• "It is always a good rule not to put too much confidence in experimental results until they have been confirmed by theory." - Sir Arthur Eddington
• A four-stage description of the acceptance of a scientific idea, attributed to Professor J.B.S. Haldane.

Cryptoletters

This section features letters from readers. Rafael Augusto Lara Palmeros from Veracruz, Mexico, expresses his appreciation for the ISC publications and his long-term commitment to membership. A note from the editor suggests that purchasing complete sets of back issues could significantly help the Society's financial situation. David Arnspiger from Tucson, Arizona, provides information on where to obtain the film "The Secret of the Loch" on videocassette.

New Schedule, New Dues

This article explains a new publishing schedule adopted by the ISC to consolidate publications and address financial shortages. Volume 12 of both the journal and newsletter covers the years 1993-1996, and Volume 13 will cover 1997-1998. Membership dues have been raised to US $42 (or £28) for Vol. 13, a necessary increase to restore financial health and maintain the Society's scholarly output. The increase is justified by comparing the new dues to the original $25 dues from 1982, adjusted for inflation (CPI). The article emphasizes that members' dues support the organization's scientific and objective approach to cryptozoology, distinguishing it from less rigorous pursuits. The Society also appeals for donations and offers a "Benefactor" option for a one-time payment of $1,500 (or £1,000) for life membership.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing search for evidence of extant unknown animals, particularly the ground sloth and coelacanth. The editorial stance is one of promoting a rigorous, scientific approach to cryptozoology, distinguishing it from sensationalism and emphasizing the importance of academic integrity and evidence-based research. The financial challenges faced by the Society are also a prominent theme, leading to consolidated publications and increased membership dues. The newsletter advocates for a cautious, evidence-driven methodology in cryptozoological investigations, while acknowledging the value of eyewitness accounts and historical records.

The ISC Newsletter, Vol. 12, No. 1, published between 1993 and 1996, is dedicated primarily to an obituary for Vladimir Markotic, a charter member and archaeologist who passed away in November 1994. The newsletter also includes information regarding the society's purpose, membership, subscriptions, and back issues.

Vladimir Markotic Obituary

The main focus of this issue is the obituary for Vladimir Markotic (1920-1994), written by his close friend and associate Tom Steenburg. Markotic, an archaeologist from the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, died of heart failure with his wife and children at his bedside. He is remembered in Sasquatch circles for co-editing the book "The Sasquatch and Other Unknown Hominoids" with Grover Krantz and for co-organizing the "Sasquatch Evidence: Scientific and Social Implications" symposium at Washington State University in 1989.

Originally from Croatia, Markotic held an M.A. from Indiana University (1955) and a Ph.D. from Harvard University (1963) in anthropology. His academic career included serving as an area editor for Russia for the Council of Old World Archaeology, being on the editorial board of the journal Canadian Ethnic Studies, and editing the volume "Ancient Europe and the Mediterranean" (1977).

Steenburg recounts Markotic's zest for life and mischievous sense of humor, sharing an anecdote about Markotic pointing out a "twisted tree" as potential Sasquatch territory. Despite his age, Markotic maintained impressive fitness and energy, which impressed Steenburg during their travels, including to the Pullman symposium.

Their discussions often revolved around the "to shoot or not to shoot" question regarding Sasquatch. Markotic was consistently against shooting one to prove its existence, arguing that it would only lead to scientists claiming they knew it existed all along. He believed that if the Sasquatch existed, it would be a major discovery, and if not, it was still important folklore to investigate. This protective stance stemmed from his belief that the Sasquatch was closely related to humans, a view he held until his death. Unlike many academic colleagues, Markotic accepted the existence of the Sasquatch without doubt.

Markotic's interest in Sasquatch dated back many years, and he was an early collaborator with Bernard Heuvelmans and Ivan T. Sanderson. He viewed the Minnesota Iceman display in Calgary in 1968 as nothing like Sanderson's description and considered it a hoax.

Steenburg concludes by remembering Markotic as a first-rate researcher, a good friend, a loving father, and a devoted husband, stating that he is dearly missed.

Society Information and Operations

The International Society of Cryptozoology (ISC) was founded in 1982 in Washington, D.C., and operates as a tax-exempt, non-profit scientific organization with its secretariat in Tucson, Arizona. The ISC serves as a hub for the investigation, analysis, publication, and discussion of animals of unexpected form or size, or unusual occurrences in time or space. It also acts as a forum for public discussion and education. The Society maintains a neutral stance on the existence of supposed animals and does not officially endorse any specific cryptozoological evidence or events.

Membership and Subscriptions

Membership and subscription inquiries are directed to the ISC Secretariat. Annual membership is US$42 or £28. Payments can be made by personal check drawn against a U.S. or U.K. bank. Donors of additional amounts become Sustaining Members. Membership includes quarterly issues of The ISC Newsletter and the annual journal Cryptozoology. Couples can opt for a joint membership for US$47 or £31, receiving one set of publications. Institutions such as corporations, zoological parks, aquariums, and libraries can obtain institutional subscriptions for US$65 per year. While payment in US$ or £Sterling is preferred for non-U.S./U.K. members, individuals in certain countries may pay in their local currencies if the equivalent of US$42 is sent. All payments should be sent to the ISC Secretariat.

Back Issues

Back issues of The ISC Newsletter and the journal Cryptozoology are available. For individuals, The ISC Newsletter costs US$5.00 or £3.50 per issue, and Cryptozoology costs US$22 or £14 per issue. These prices include postage. Discounts are offered for larger orders: 10% for orders between $43-$100, 20% for orders between $101-$200, and 30% for orders of $201 or more. Free order forms can be requested from the ISC Secretariat, and all orders must be prepaid.

Field Medical Advisor

Dr. Michael J. Manyak, M.D., from George Washington University Medical Center, serves as the Field Medical Advisor. He can be contacted for medical and health care advice, particularly for those planning fieldwork in tropical areas.

Honorary Members and Benefactors

The newsletter lists several Honorary Members, including Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer, Athol M. Douglas, Robert L. Downing, Richard S.R. Fitter, John Green, The Lord Hunt of Llanfair Waterdine, Marie-Jean Koffmann, Theodore Monod, Robert H. Rines, and Bob Titmus. It also lists numerous Benefactors, such as Rolf Auster, Elizabeth Bosworth, G. A. Buder, Loren Coleman, and Edward L. Krause, among others.

Corporate and Institutional Sponsors

Sponsors include the Academy of Applied Science, The Conservation Agency, and Tracto-Technik Group of Companies.

Archival Material

Members are encouraged to submit copies of cryptozoology-related materials, including newspaper reports, magazine articles, and scientific papers, to the ISC Secretariat for archival purposes. Clear references, including publication name and date, are required. While acknowledgments of receipt are not typically sent due to mail volume, all submissions are read, often used in the Newsletter, and preserved in the Society's archives.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is the commemoration and remembrance of Vladimir Markotic, highlighting his contributions to cryptozoology and his personal perspectives on the Sasquatch. The newsletter also reinforces the ISC's role as a scientific and educational organization that facilitates discussion on unexplained phenomena without taking definitive stances on the existence of such creatures. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry and the preservation of information related to cryptozoological research.