Cryptozoology

Cryptozoology is the study of and dissemination of information about animals that are not accepted as existing by mainstream science. One branch considers legendary or mythical creatures as possibly real or based on facts, while another investigates the potential existence of remnant populations of real animals generally thought to be extinct, such as dinosaurs. Both types of creatures are referred to as cryptids. Examples of well-known cryptids from folklore include Sasquatch (also known popularly as Bigfoot), the Loch Ness Monster, the chupacabra, the Mothman, and the Yeti. Although few biologists and physical anthropologists take cryptozoology seriously, its defenders note that previously unknown or rumored animals have eventually been confirmed to exist before.

Many cultural groups in various regions throughout the world have their own legends of cryptids, and while they may have features that are unique to their geographic region, many general themes are repeated around the world. For example, the legend of the apelike Sasquatch was common among indigenous tribes of the Pacific Northwest region of the United States and western Canada predating contact with European settlers, while the similar Yeti has long featured in the folklore of peoples living in the Himalayan region. Many other cultures have tales of mysterious ape or hominid species as well. The Loch Ness Monster, meanwhile, is only the most famous of many alleged aquatic beasts described throughout history. Numerous claimed sightings and encounters with cryptids continue to be reported by the general public annually.

Background

Cryptozoology is generally considered to be a form of pseudoscience (quite literally, "fake science"), rather than a legitimate field of scientific inquiry. Mainstream science is based on the scientific method and consists of observing the natural world, formulating and testing hypotheses, accepting or rejecting hypotheses, and publishing the results of experimentation in peer-reviewed academic literature or presenting findings at academic conferences. Pseudoscience, on the other hand, often attempts to present itself as legitimate scientific research without adhering to the meticulous process of the scientific method or rigorous experimentation. Importantly, pseudoscience researchers may not attempt to persuade the scientific community, instead focusing their efforts on appealing to the general public. Aside from cryptozoology, other examples of pseudoscience include ufology (the study of UFOs and extraterrestrials), parapsychology (telekinesis and telepathy, for example), astrology, and ghost hunting. Many amateur researchers often consider these fields to overlap, further discrediting any attempts at real science by introducing elements of the supernatural and/or conspiracy theories.

Nevertheless, some mainstream scientists and anthropologists have attempted to conduct research on various cryptids over the years, thus extending a degree of credibility and scientific integrity to cryptozoology. The main difficulty such researchers face is a lack of evidence, making it impossible to fully carry out the scientific method and conclusively determine the existence of a cryptid. Therefore, truly scientific cryptozoology is mostly limited to activities such as documentation and interpretation of folklore and alleged eyewitness accounts and investigating possible real-life inspirations for cryptids. Cryptozoologists argue that their efforts are valid, as real species like the okapi, the gorilla, and the giant squid were once only rumors to Western science.

Some scientists have been willing to risk their professional reputations by publicly supporting cryptozoology. They argue that science must be open-minded, and the possible existence of some cryptids is not absurd. In the case of Sasquatch, for example, it has been claimed that forensic evidence collected over the years (including footprints, unidentified fur/hair, and audio recordings of calls and cries from unidentified animals) may not conclusively prove that Sasquatch exists, but indicates a need for the scientific community to at least consider the evidence and devote greater attention to the matter.

Critics claim that cryptozoological hoaxes abound, and when forensic evidence is presented it can almost always be explained scientifically. For example, in July 2007 a carcass of a hairless, wolf-like creature alleged to be a chupacabra was determined through DNA analysis to be simply a hybrid offspring of a coyote and a Mexican wolf suffering from the skin disease mange.

Cryptozoology Today

Although cultures worldwide have had legends of mysterious cryptids for millennia, the advent of photography, television and motion pictures, and widespread video recording equipment ushered in a new era for cryptozoology. Countless pictures and videos of alleged sightings and encounters with cryptids such as Sasquatch and the chupacabra can today be uploaded to the Internet and viewed by millions of people throughout the world, thus adding to the already strong allure of cryptozoology. There is little doubt, however, that the majority of these photos and videos are either outright forgeries or hoaxes or have more conventional explanations. For example, police, park rangers, and physical anthropologists contend that many of the alleged sightings of Sasquatch in the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere are actually grizzly bears, which can stand more than eight feet tall on their hind legs.

Nevertheless, cryptozoology appears to be firmly planted in the minds of many individuals of various nations. A 2012 Angus Reid Public Opinion Poll found that 29 percent of Americans and 21 percent of Canadians believe that Sasquatch either "definitely" or "probably" exists. The poll also found that 24 percent of Scotland’s residents believe the Loch Ness Monster to be real, while only 17 percent of Britain’s population as a whole believe in this creature’s existence. The most famous cryptids are household names, and local legends and associations with mysterious creatures are often exploited as tourist attractions. Numerous groups and organizations, ranging from the tongue-in-cheek to the highly serious, have been formed to celebrate or advocate for cryptids and cryptozoology.

Fascination with cryptozoology may stem from the human relationship with nature and the unknown. It has also gained from the popularity of science fiction media since the 1980s, including television programs such as Unsolved Mysteries, Sightings, The X-Files, MonsterQuest, and Finding Bigfoot. Additionally, popular Hollywood motion pictures such as the 2002 film The Mothman Prophecies and the classic 1987 comedy Harry and the Hendersons, among many others, have increased the public’s awareness of cryptids.

Bibliography

"Americans More Likely than Canadians to Believe in Bigfoot." LiveScience. Purch, 6 Mar. 2012. Web. 1 Aug. 2016.

Budd, Deena West. The Weiser Field Guide to Cryptozoology: Werewolves, Dragons, Skyfish, Lizard Men, and Other Fascinating Creatures Real and Mysterious. San Francisco: Weiser, 2010. Print.

Eberhart, George M. Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology. Santa Barbara: ABC-Clio, 2002. Print.

Godfrey, Linda. American Monsters: A History of Monster Lore, Legends, and Sightings in America. New York: Tarcher, 2014. Print.

Loxton, Daniel, and Donald Prothero. Abominable Science! Origins of the Yeti, Nessie, and Other Famous Cryptids. New York: Columbia UP, 2015. Print.

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Redfern, Nick. The Bigfoot Book: The Encyclopedia of Sasquatch, Yeti, and Cryptid Primates. Detroit: Visible Ink, 2015. Print.

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