I was recently invited to give a presentation at "Ask a Scientist", which I am looking forward to. As a physical anthropologist, I have long been fascinated by Bigfoot, Yeti, and other alleged relic primates living in remote locations. I would absolutely LOVE it if someone actually found a Yeti, or a Bigfoot. What could possibly be more exciting to a scientist than the discovery that indeed, populations of large-bodied primates, unknown to science, actually existed somewhere? What would be the relationship of these creatures to other primates, or humans? What physical anthropologist wouldn't be itching to look at the morphology, the genetics, the DNA? Alas, one does science with the head, not the heart. As much as I'd love to believe the existence of "wild men of the forest" as these creatures collectively are called, I won't believe it without evidence. As my former professor, Neil Tappen, once remarked, he'd "love to go on the SECOND Bigfoot expedition" -- the one held after the first successful one. So I'd like to talk about how one would go about thinking scientifically about Bigfoot/Yeti. What would constitute evidence that such wild men exist? What do YOU think? |
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Bay Area SkepticsThe San Francisco Bay Area's skeptical organization since 1982 |
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Why talk about it and let's go find it
I too have been fascinated with the lore and myth of Bigfoot and actually believe one could exist such as the mountain gorillas or new species of animal found in the rain forest.
The problem with these expeditions in search of Bigfoot usually end up with little more then casts of feet, some hair, or the recordings of screeches and tree knocking, because they are too short. These creatures from what I have read are nomadic over a couple of hundred square miles and travel in groups. The path seems to follow the vegetation bloom needed to sustain an omnivore which I believe this creature is such as the apes or us.
In order to get real about the chances someone or a group needs to launch about a month long expedition with experienced trackers, night vision, motion detectors, helicopters, and several base camps to move accordingly as reports come in. Need to start thinking outside the box because it is their territory and they know it better then us and they are camoflaged to blend into their surroundings. They seem to be intelligent how much though is anyones guess but I would mark somewhere between chimp and human. 3 day searches is like living in the suburbs and going into the city to a certain cafe and hoping someone you know shows up. Very unlikely.
Also from all recent reports I believe the area that needs to be covered is the Southwest Canadian Provinces.
The other problem you have on these expeditions is the fear the researchers have which is understandable. This is supposedly a creature which is over 600 pounds and has some evidence that it eats meat and is aggressive due to rock throwing. Everytime I read about or see these expeditions the researchers as soon as something comes near start to run for cover and hide. Again nothing wrong and completely understandable but totally self defeating the purpose. Also as reports state there is evidence of babies of this species and in that circumstance you will never know what the parents will do to protect them. A security force would be needed for protection to allow the researchers to feel somewhat safer as well as the possibility to possibly detain, tag, and retrieve crucial DNA evidence as well as irrefuttable photographic evidence. Not a kill but a catch and release method.
I am seriously interested in participating and help formulating the plan for this type of expedition. You can e-mail me at joe.collinsjr@gmail.com if you are serious about finding out wether this is a well crafted myth or reality.