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BIGFOOT | |
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The
legend of Bigfoot (cryptid) seems to capture
the attention of many believers and skeptics around the world alike.
One of the first reported sightings of Bigfoot was reported in 1840, in
Spokane Washington by the Reverend Elkanah Walker. The Native Americans that lived in that area were well aware of Bigfoot long before the Reverend ever knew of its existence. They claimed the ape-like creature often came into their camps and stole their salmon. They always knew of its presence because it was said to have a distinctive odor. More sightings surfaced around the globe over the years. Bigfoot has been seen in the remote forests of the United States, British Columbia, Tibet, and Australia.  The Lakota Indians know Bigfoot as Chiye-tanka. To China, the creature is known as Yeren. In Tebit the name is Yeti. Sasquatch is also another name that comes to mind when one thinks of Bigfoot.  Patterson Gimlin Bigfoot Photo Credit Thomas Roche http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomasroche/2586759357/ The descriptions of Bigfoot is one that observers seem to agree upon. The facial features are similar to that of an ape or gorilla with a pronounced brow. The head has a slight crested shape and the body is covered in long dark fur, or in the case of the Yeti, white fur. The creature is reported to stand between seven and ten feet tall and weigh at least four hundred and fifty pounds and possibly much more by other accounts. Since one has never been captured, it is difficult to estimate the weight based on visual accounts alone. From the many footprints collected over the last forty years, the average length of the large flat shaped print is said to be about 15", and about 7" wide or more. The behavior of Bigfoot is believed to be one of an illusive and non-threatening nature. Some primotologists and anthropologists believed Bigfoot is possibly an extinct species known as Paranthropus robustus because of its crested head and bipedal gait. But the lack of evidence of an exceptional creature such as Sasquatch continues to throw fuel on the fire for some experts, who simply believe no such creature can co-exist with our race without so much as a single dropping, that can be analyzed to read its DNA, and validate its existence.
On October 20, 1967, two Bigfoot enthusiasts by the names of Roger Patterson and Robert Gimlin headed out on horseback to an isolated location at Bluff Creek in northern California. Patterson set out with his camera in hopes of finding the illusive creature, which had been seen in the forest. He hoped to be able to film it. As luck would have it, they came across the furry being in a crouched position by a creek. Patterson quickly jumped off of his horse and started filming. In the film it is easy to see that Patterson was running, as the film is out of focus and jumpy at times. He did manage however, to film a few seconds of clean footage of the creature walking away, with arms swinging widely at its side and glancing back at the camera. The entire encounter lasted about two minutes. The film would be the subject of debate for many years to come. Some experts would agree that Patterson's film was a hoax. The creature was nothing more than a man in an ape suit. There are actually those who claimed they were the one wearing the ape suit, but none of this information has ever been validated. In fact, science and Hollywood did their best to replicate the suit, all with no success. A battery of tests have also been conducted in labs with athletes, who were given the task of mimicking the gait of the creature, also without success. Many sightings continue today. On September 16, 2007, in Northwest Pennsylvania, R. Jacobs was preparing for an upcoming dear hunt and set up his motion sensing camera to capture photos of dear in the area. Bait was set up and it attracted bears right away, but it also attracted this supposed ape-like animal which was later studied by wildlife experts. Some agreed that it was nothing more than a mangy bear, others disagreed and saw a primate. Looking at the photo, it seems that the hunched figure moves in a human-like manner while reaching down. Could a bear move like this? Much debate over this photo got the media abuzz with new Bigfoot stories. Some find the photo to be humorous. Others still can't decide one way or another what it is.  Photo by R. Jacobs 2007 Latest Bigfoot News The most recent and humorous story to hit the airwaves and news stations all over the world was the latest Bigfoot discovery in August of 2008. Two Georgia residents, Matt Whitton, and Rick Dyer announced on Bigfoot radio news, they had discovered the remains of the elusive Bigfoot. When the radio announcer asked if he could see it, they said "No." They then had a news conference on live television to announce to the world that they had the remains of Bigfoot. Bigfoot experts flew out to see the creature for themselves and study its DNA, while the world sat in anticipation, waiting for proof of its existence. Of course there were those who would never believe such hogwash. The photo of the "supposed" Bigfoot began circulating on news stations around the world. The photo showed what appeared to be a dead creature that looked more like an ape costume in a cold storage. The hoax was discovered after the body began to thaw. Experts plucked hairs from the corpse and began burning them for analysis. When the hairs melted into tiny balls, just as synthetic hair would, they became suspisicous. As the body continued to thaw, they discovered the foot was rubber. With the truth staring the experts in the face, both men finally admitted to the hoax.  Bigfoot Hoax Photo 2008 Photo Credit: Thomas Roche http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomasroche/2768387551/ In Conclusion
While more sightings have been reported around the globe through 2009, and most likely will continue into the future, there still remains no valid proof of the creatures existence. It seems that at least a carcass or bones should surface after death, but up to the present day, there is no such evidence to be seen. Perhaps one day science will be able to explain this mystery, or the not so mysterious existence of the creature we know as Sasquatch. Whatever secrets the forests may hold, just be warned. When the moon shines down bright on the vast green woodlands, beware the lone dear trails just off the main beaten path, on your way up the mountainside. The next turn could lead you into the path of the hulking hairy creature known as "Bigfoot."  Photo Credit by Left Hand http://www.flickr.com/photos/left-hand/2999552958/ Copyright © Sylvia Zimmer 2008 Sources: Various Bigfoot History CNN FoxNews.com Note: All graphics or images on this page have been used by permission, fair use, or are in the public domain. Please do not copy images and link back to Paranormaland as a source. Thanks. Bigfoot Related Videos
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