The Search for Enigmatic Animals

I have to admit my love for the literature in this field. When reading through the books, magazines, and newsletters, I see not only the mysteries and wonders of the natural world, but the personalities and insights of those who study these puzzles.

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In the literature available, however, one area sticks out from the rest. Not because of its overwhelming presence, but rather because of its absence. Few articles or books specifically describe the methods of cryptozoological investigation. I hope that this booklet will be a push towards a new trend in cryptozoological writing.

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For their willingness to help in this project, and for their contributions in prose, I thank Bob Chance, Ray Crowe, Michael Frizzell, Mark Hall, Tim Olson, Mark Opsasnick, and Mike Quast. Their enthusiasm bodes well for the future of cryptozoology.

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Thanks to Matt Y. for very applicable suggestions. Writers are urged to rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. Without someone to provide an objective critique for me, this may have produced ramblings, ramblings, ramblings.

Before you undertake the study of mystery animals, you must first understand what sets them apart from the rest of the natural world. An animal that appears strange or acts in a peculiar manner may be perfectly normal. In order to know whether or not it is ordinary, you need to have a good overview of the animal kingdom. Start with the science of animals, zoology. . Zoologists study everything from polar bears to rattlesnakes, mayflies to starfish. They record and report on territory and population sizes, prey and predator relationships, courtship and social behaviors, and every other possible association between an animal and its environment. . Each species of animal has a specific Latin name that sets it apart from all other species. Every scientist knows that Panthera leo refers only to the lion. Panthera leo will never refer to the tiger or leopard. This system of binomial nomenclature allows scientists to keep track of the millions of different species. . Discoveries of new invertebrates and other small animals are common. Scientists have a hard time keeping up with all of these new finds. It is only on rare occasions that someone discovers a larger animal. When this happens, the scientific community ripples with excitement. . While an animal may be new to science, the natives of the area which the animal inhabits are usually familiar with it, even if they see it infrequently. This has led many people to search out obscure animal legends in hopes of finding a new species. These animals are cryptids, or "hidden animals." Cryptozoology is the methodology used to search for these creatures. A cryptozoologist will seek clues to a mystery animal's description, behavior, and habitat. The cryptozoologist may actively search for it or give the information to someone who can. . Generally, a cryptid may be any animal that is rumored to exist, but hasn't been "officially" proven to be a real creature. Cryptids may include: Animals that don't match the descriptions of known extant or extinct species. (e.g. Sea serpents) Animal populations found in unexpected locations. (e.g. Kangaroos in North America) Populations of animals with unexpected phenotypes (physical appearances) - extreme sizes, unexpected coloration or patterns, etc. (e.g. Pygmy elephants) Animals that are supposedly extinct. (e.g. Living dinosaurs) J. Richard Greenwell, secretary of the International Society of Cryptozoology, provides a complete organization of the science in "A Classificatory System for Cryptozoology" (Cryptozoology, Vol. 4 (1985): 1-14). . While most people have heard of such cryptids as bigfoot and sea serpents, there is a wide spectrum of enigmatic animals that attract the attention of cryptozoologists. Such creatures as giant bats, spotted lions, crowing serpents, and living pterosaurs are just a few of hundreds of reported cryptids. For a good survey of what interests cryptozoologists, see Bernard Heuvelmans' "Annotated Checklist of Apparently Unknown Animals with which Cryptozoology is Concerned," in Cryptozoology Vol. 5 (1986): 1-26. . The term Forteana refers to the anomalous. The word is a tribute to Charles Fort (1874-1932), who spent his life collecting facts that seemed to contradict what was "known" about science. Zoological Forteana is concerned with those animals that are merely strange or anomalous, and not extreme or permanent enough to be considered cryptozoological. For example, if you find a wombat in a Virginia forest, that would be Forteana. If you found reports of a population of wombats in Virginia with a long history of sightings from that area, that would be cryptozoological. . Most scientists disavow bigfoot and most of the other mystery animals. After all, how can such large beasts live secretly in the shadow of modern man? They may be correct, but rarely do they consider all the facts. People all over the world see these creatures. Law enforcement officers, military personnel, business owners, and even scientists have seen them. It is true that few actual specimens are captured, but two common characteristics of these animals are that they are warier than most animals, or live in inaccessible areas. . What if someone has seen a cryptid in your area? Would you dismiss it as a tall tale? Would you try to investigate it? There are many ways to examine these reports. Use this booklet as a guide. It will point out people to contact, places to visit, and give some ideas for your field work. Don't take the techniques in this booklet as the only way to investigate cryptids. Consider them a resource to build upon. As you become more familiar with your local sightings, you will find new methods that may suit you better. Don't keep them to yourself, though. Share your research techniques with others. This will benefit all researchers, and they will be more willing to reciprocate.

Why is cryptozoology important? Mark Hall, a cryptozoologist working out of Minneapolis, MN, answers this question for us.

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"Some years ago a professional mammalogist advised me that in North America 'all the field work had been done.' According to this advice there were no large animals of any kind left undescribed on the continent. My own experience has all been to the contrary. The pursuit of unusual stories of animals both in talking with witnesses and in doing library research has indicated that such animals are here. As populated as North America is, there is still room for black panthers, Thunderbirds, Bighoot (the giant owl), the American Yeti, True Giants, and many more genuinely new animals. By inference we should not be surprised that less densely populated regions of the globe harbor a multitude of similar mysteries. They are a challenge for any who will put forth effort over time to understand them. Cryptozoology is a response to the persistence of genuine mysteries. These are the hardest questions in natural history. They are shunned by professional science when easy solutions cannot be had. They provide opportunities for self-starting amateurs who must volunteer their personal finances and time to seek the answers. Great days of biological discovery lie ahead. Cryptozoology will lead the way to those days of great discoveries."

The most important tool in your investigations is your mind. How you interpret the data you receive, how you apply skeptical criticism, and how you maintain an open-minded approach will all determine the validity and accuracy of your research. You must be willing to listen to people even if you don't agree with them. You must be willing to apply critical reasoning to theories. Just because a fact seems to corroborate your favorite hypothesis doesn't mean you have settled the matter. Never throw out a possible explanation just because the dreaded "authorities" came up with it. Many investigators toss out the "escaped exotic" scenario without realizing how many exotics are in their area and how many of them escape or are abandoned. I once picked up a 5-foot-long reticulated python that a Dayton, OH, resident found in his front yard. The best rule of thumb is to be aware of what others think, how animals act, and what is going on in your area.

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The next significant tool will be your files. An investigator must keep information in a neat, concise format that allows quick and easy access. The files hold everything from eyewitness reports to newspaper clippings to bibliographies.

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While much of it will be kept in "hard copy," as the actual clippings and articles, you may want to consider keeping some of it in a computer (backed up with copies on disks). I've found that keeping some files in my hard drive allows me to find material much quicker than if I had to go through sheets and sheets of papers. All I have to do is bring up a specific document and use the search mode. It takes some effort to type or scan everything in, but the benefits are worth the time taken to do it.

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As a suggested filing system, a good base for expansion of your own ideas includes:

Local animal legends and cryptid sightings
Anomalous wildlife sightings (albinism, invading wildlife, etc.)
Exotic pets in the area, including escapees
Names and addresses of local naturalists, wildlife officers, and other possible investigators of mystery animals
Addresses of law enforcement and relevant government agencies (including military and FBI for FOIA requests)
Addresses of local newspapers, regional magazines, and columnists
Addresses of local historical societies and research libraries
Addresses of local zoos and museums
Addresses of exotic pet and nature societies
Maps of local areas, including forests and watersheds

When you find a newspaper or magazine article relevant to your investigation, file it accurately and specifically. If you find an article on panther sightings in the 1800's in Ohio, don't file it under "Panther Sightings." That is too broad, and the file may become crammed with articles. Instead, file it under "Ohio, Panther Sightings, 1800's," or another specific name.

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When you find and clip an article for your files, include with it the name of the article, the author's name, the name of the magazine or newspaper, the date of publication, and the page number. This will help other researchers find the article and confirm its origin.

Certainly, you will want to keep a small notebook on your person whenever possible. New ideas and opportunities can appear anywhere.

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To organize sightings, find a good topographical map of the area. Make note of the landscape. Where are the nearest waterways and forested areas? How large are they? How close is the sighting to residential areas? If it is very close, there's a good chance that several people saw the animal. For a good article on this subject, see Michael Frizzel's "The U.S. Geological Survey: An Invaluable Technical Resource for Forteans and Anomalists" in the February 1989 INFO Journal, p. 19+.

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Keep track of every address that you may need in the future. Write down the names of all local wildlife experts whenever a newspaper features them. You can look up the phone numbers and addresses. You may need them in the future, and it's better to have the details on hand, rather than wasting time looking them up.

Bibliographic investigation begins in several places:

Fortean books and magazines
Books about exotic lands and expeditions
Books on local history and folklore
Newspapers
Scientific journals and books

Fortean or cryptozoological books often name locations where sightings of strange creatures have occurred. Use these as a base for your own research. If a book says that someone saw a giant snake near your town in 1940, there are several things you can do to find more information. First, find a library that has the local newspapers on microfilm. Look through the newspapers from that period. If a giant snake was seen, there should be an article on it. This isn't always the case, as some people don't admit seeing a mystery animal until years later, but it's a good place to start. Chances are, if one person has seen it, so have other people, and it will soon reach the ears of a journalist.

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Books by explorers and naturalists will give you glimpses of unique wildlife from around the world, and may mention animal legends. Books by anthropologists will usually cover the myths and legends of various cultures. The scientific journals and periodicals are better for finding cases of unusual phenotypes in known species. They also report on techniques used to survey populations, which can be helpful in your field work.

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If you aren't able to locate information in your library, talk to the reference librarians. Explain exactly what you are looking for, no matter how broad or narrow the topic. They are there to help patrons find materials. Don't be embarrassed to ask for advice.

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Your next step is to visit your local historical society. They may be able to furnish you with articles or books about your topic. They may even be able to give you the addresses of witnesses or people involved in collecting wildlife legends. Some historical societies charge an admission fee or library usage fee. Because most historical societies run on small budgets, they may also have irregular hours. Write or call ahead of time for their hours and fees.

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One tip is often handed out to investigators. Because you want to get a photocopy of any relevant article you find, be sure to bring varied amounts of change with you. Although modern photocopiers usually accept most change, all microfilm copiers seem to be different. I took $10 worth of quarters and dimes to one public library only to find that their machine ran only on nickels. Another problem you will run across is broken equipment. Many small libraries don't have the funds to repair their photocopying equipment if it breaks down. There's not much you can do about it, but ask if anyone else has the newspaper on microfilm.

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Don't forget to photocopy the bibliography or works cited page when copying an article. Many times this will lead to other articles on your subject. A couple of good bibliographic compilations are given in the back of this booklet. The CD-ROM databases used in many public libraries are another good source for recent articles. They are simple to use, and are good for recent newspaper and general magazine articles.

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Take advantage of your library's inter-library loan program. You can get a copy of almost any book or article you need through it. There may be nominal fees involved for articles. I was once charged $8 for an article, so now I make a notation on each request that I'm only willing to pay a couple of dollars for an article.

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There's one section of the library that most patrons avoid. No matter which library I visit, very rarely will someone be looking through the government documents. These are books, booklets, pamphlets, maps, and newsletters that are printed with your tax dollars on an amazing array of subjects. You may not have reason to visit it, but you never know what you'll come across while browsing. The documents are grouped by who has issued them. For example, A is the Dept. of Agriculture, C is the Dept. of Commerce (including the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Adm.), D is the military, I is the Dept. of the Interior (including the U.S. Geological Survey and Fish & Wildlife Service), and SI is the Smithsonian. They are not grouped by topic.

Mark Opsasnick is a key cryptid investigator on the east coast. His studies include a great deal of bibliographic research. What are his thoughts on the subject?

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"In terms of bibliographic investigation, researchers should start with the basic books and newsletters which specialize on cryptozoological topics. Contacting the authors of these publications is also an excellent way to uncover more material on a particular geographic area of interest.

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"One of the most important and overlooked sources of information is the library system. I recommend checking out every available library -- local, county, college, and city -- and checking with the staff about special collections, newspaper clipping files, and additional holdings on the topics of Bigfoot, monsters, creatures, folklore, myths, legends, cryptozoology, anthropology, phantoms, and even ghosts and urban legends. You'll be amazed at what you can dig up.

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"Also, be sure to check with any folklore or historical societies in your vicinity and again, request information on the topics listed above. Of course, if you fail to find information from these sources, go to the local towns where a cryptid has been sighted and ask questions at the local gathering places -- the taverns, town halls, post offices, or shopping areas. Be sure to carry a cassette recorder and record or write down anything and everything anyone tells you."

Historical investigation involves both bibliographic and "active" investigation. What are you looking for? You are seeking clues to the presence of cryptids in the past. If a "lake monster" turns up in your area, historical legends and tales could corroborate your report. If you can't find any evidence for it in the past, it may be a hoax or misidentification.

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Native American folklore is an excellent place to start. Your local library may have literature on the Native Americans in your region where you can look for legends of water monsters, thunderbirds, wild men, and other mythological creatures. Check your local museums and historical societies for Native American artifacts. A large number of carvings, petroglyphs, and pictographs show some very unusual wildlife forms.

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Next, check out the books and articles on legends from early settlers in your region. Were there any early naturalists that went through your area? They may have jotted down their observations in journals, which may be kept at your local historical society.

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Although it is very time-consuming, you may wish to go through newspapers from earlier periods. What may have been considered merely odd back then may now be considered a piece of a cryptozoological puzzle. Many early newspapers are kept on microfilm in libraries or historical societies. (Unfortunately, just as many are gone forever, victims of time, apathy, and poor archival conditions.) Many are hard to read, especially for long periods of time, so don't go into a library expecting to go through several years non-stop. Take a break occasionally. You can always talk to the library staff. They may have ideas about who to contact and where to look for more information. You may also be able to find older citizens who can tell you stories from their youth.

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When going through old folklore, keep in mind that most of it will remain folklore. Not every legend is based on a real animal. Linda Milligan's "The 'Truth' About the Bigfoot Legend" (Western Folklore Jan. 1990: 83-98.) shows one way in which a folklorist looks at mystery animals. Take a look through books on legends to get an idea of the patterns that repeat from location to location.

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Once you have several reports, look for patterns. Are behavioral traits similar? Do the descriptions from different witnesses match? Do similar habitats show up? Are their seasonal patterns? Does the legend have similarities to myths from other parts of the world?

Networking is a term used in forming personal or business relationships. You will want to get in touch with any cryptid investigators in your area. Others to contact are police departments, wildlife officers, historians, and naturalists. You may wish to send a brief outline of what you are looking for and ask that they call or write to you if they find anything pertinent.

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When dealing with other investigators, be friendly and polite. Most are excellent researchers, and you can benefit from your association with them. They may be willing to trade information, or suggest certain locations to investigate.

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After you've been investigating for a while, you may meet reporters interested in writing about you. A well-written article can be beneficial, as it can attract the attention of new witnesses. Just be sure that the reporter has all the facts straight (for example, "Bigfoot" is NOT synonymous with "Yeti"), and that most of the article reports on what you are looking for. If other investigators see that the article is merely self-promotion, they may believe that you are only investigating for the publicity, and are not really serious about your work. Remember that the reporter's business is to create an interesting story. The story may focus on the more sensational accounts without regard to context. It certainly isn't ethical to ask to see the article before it is published, but do some research on your own before agreeing to an interview. Look up articles written by the reporter to determine whether or not they are fair to the subjects.

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An advanced form of networking is available to those who have access to the technology: a computer, a modem, and an Internet service. Websites and email discussion lists cover an incredible range of subjects. If you get the chance, review a few with subjects covering cryptozoology, natural history, wildlife, and folklore. These allow you to "meet" others who may be able to answer your questions or provide you with some interesting data. As with all contacts, be polite. It's easy to get into arguments and "flaming," but that's usually non-productive.

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If you are trying to locate addresses for a "postal blitz" (I occasionally do this in an effort to get new leads), and have a specific area in mind, there are now numerous online directories with means of locating residents on certain streets.

How do you find people who can tell you about their sightings? Several methods are available with only minor expense involved. These are the basics. Your locality may require other methods for you to pursue.

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While looking for reports of mystery animals in Maryland, I was advised to investigate a particular road in Harford County that had been the site of a few Bigfoot reports. Because of the number of houses and farms on that road, and because my time schedule didn't allow me to knock on every door, I did the next best thing.

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I left an envelope at each house with a brief note stating my interest in any reports of unusual animals seen in that area. Along with the note, I included a self-addressed postal card with notations on the back for name, address, and description of sighting. Even if they hadn't seen anything, I asked them to mail the card back, just for "statistical" purposes. Several cards came back with no new information, but two cards did contain sighting reports. One concerned a cougar sighted in the 1960's during a wave of big cat reports, and the other was a cougar sighting from the summer of 1992. No one reported any Bigfoot sightings, but the cougar reports made the effort worthwhile.

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Once I received the postal cards, I immediately sent the witnesses a report form (along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope). A report form should contain all details which might be important to your investigation.

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My form is long, but it is simple to fill out. Not every question will be answered, but it covers everything I feel I need to know. Because I have it saved in my computer, if I find I need to add different questions, I can modify it and print out the new form.

My "Anomalous Wildlife Report Form" includes the following details:

Names, addresses, and phone numbers of witnesses
Date of incident and date report form is filled out
Weather conditions at time of incident
Time of day incident occurred
Location of incident (as specific as possible)
Description of area (vegetation and habitat)
Are there caves or abandoned shelters in the area?
Nearest bodies of water
Description of animal sighted or evidence found
If an actual sighting occurred:
Approximate heights, lengths, and weights
How many witnesses?
Estimated length of time observed
Estimated distance between animal and observers
Description of movements and behavior
Was it feeding on anything?
Was there a distinctive odor?
Were any sounds heard?
If tracks were found:
How many tracks were found?
Where did the tracks lead to or away from?
Length and width of single track
Length of stride
Number of "toes"
Were photographs or casts taken?
Description of any unusual domestic animal behavior at time of incident, or within that general time frame:
Were any unusual animal kills found, or were there any unusual disappearances of livestock?

Once you find an actual witness, you will want to interview him or her. I prefer to write to the witness first to set up an interview at a convenient time, but it may be easier to just phone and ask for an interview. If you do phone, be sure you have some questions clearly written out beforehand. The impression you make on the witness will determine how much you'll get from the interview, so politeness is extremely important. If you are conducting the interview in person, ask if you can tape record the conversation. This is much easier than trying to write down everything the witness says.

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Ask the witness to describe the incident in his or her own words. Find out whether others witnessed it, and to whom the incident was reported. (You can always write for information on investigations done by police or wildlife officers.) Assure the witness that you will keep names confidential, but ask if you can give names to other investigators who will also maintain the confidentiality.

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When you finish with the interview, ask the witness to fill out the report form. That will leave a permanent record of the sighting. If a videotape or photographs were taken by the witness, ask if you can make a copy of them. Just don't publish a witness' photograph without their written permission.

Investigation requires personal contact. The interview is a necessary requirement for all recent sightings. Mike Quast, a sasquatch investigator in Minnesota and editor of The Sasquatch Report, states:

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"When interviewing a witness to a sasquatch sighting, it's best just to let him tell the story in his own words and at his own pace rather than hitting him with a barrage of questions. Ask only what is necessary to fill in the gaps he may leave in his account. This will help him stay relaxed. Also, if possible, an examination of the location of the sighting is very important.

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"As for establishing whether or not the story is true, it often comes down to your own instinct. Most genuine witnesses are people who will not try to profit in any way from their story, but even that can't be used as a general rule. You must use your own best judgment after examining all the facts."

This isn't an easy task. Every witness must be carefully evaluated. Yes, listen to everything they say. Even an unreliable witness may tell you something of value. Just weigh everything carefully. A witness may be prone to error or may be trying to pull off a hoax.

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Misidentifications are much more common than lies. Analyzing reports may show a deviation in recognized patterns, so there are a few things to keep in mind while you are conducting an interview.

Does the witness seem to want publicity? (Has the witness already contacted the media?)
Does the witness have any prior knowledge of cryptozoology?
Does the witness seem prone to exaggeration?
Does the witness remain faithful to the story throughout the interview? (Or when telling the story to different people?)

None of these questions will prove that a witness can't be trusted. Shock, pressure, fear of negative publicity, or an active imagination can all color a witness' reaction. Try to understand the witness' point of view. Here is a chance encounter that has brought the witness to a point where he or she must decide "Did I actually see what I thought I saw?" How the witness answers that question is a determining factor in the story that is told.

Another method of soliciting information is with a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. A well-written letter asking for information on mystery animals or wildlife legends from your region will almost certainly be published. Editors get tired of seeing the same old politics on the editorial page. It is best to ask for information on at least one specific creature, if possible. For example, if you know that black panthers were seen twenty years ago in a forest near your town, ask if anyone has seen or photographed them. You may or may not receive many responses, but at least your name will be in print, and people will know who to contact if they do see a mystery animal.

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You will also wish to make up a flyer asking for information. I've received several reports from people seeing my flyers. It's a good way to meet others interested in zoological anomalies. Include a description of what you're looking for (a list of known mystery animals from your area) and your mailing address. First impressions are important - make sure that the flyer looks "professional." Place the flyers on public bulletin boards and (after getting permission) in public libraries. Consider renting a small post office box. You may not be inundated with mail, but it is a good way to keep crank calls to a minimum. I haven't had any problems with that, but it's something to think about.

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When you receive the name of a witness, please keep in mind that not everyone wants their name spread around. Keep names anonymous unless you have asked specifically to pass their name along to another investigator. Personally, I won't put a witness' name in print, unless they are deceased or their name has already been published. If another investigator wishes to confirm a story, give the name to them (if you have the permission of the witness) only if they agree not to publish it. You will gain the trust of witnesses this way, and will make it easier to work with them.

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This may seem odd, as most sighting reports are investigated after a witness' name has appeared in the newspaper. What I'm after, though, are witnesses who haven't appeared in the paper, and who won't identify themselves unless they are certain that I won't leak their names to the local press. Fear of negative publicity frightens away many witnesses.

Bob Chance of Darlington, MD, has been the primary environmental force in Harford County, MD. Having a long-term interest in bigfoot and other cryptids on the East Coast, he has no qualms about mentioning them in his monthly column, "Earthline," in the Bel Air, MD, Aegis. If you ever have the opportunity to write for a paper, he offers the following points.

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The benefits:

It opens up discussion with the common man. It makes the average citizen remember past incidents.
It is a good way to spread the word from your own perspective.
It makes other investigators aware of your own work.

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The disadvantages:

Some unscrupulous reporters distort and sensationalize.
It could erode personal integrity.

FOIA refers to the Freedom of Information Act. You may never have to use this Act, but it is available to anyone who requires it. I've used it a few times, especially when I lived near the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, a military installation in Harford County, Maryland. It is an interesting exercise, and while many requests are fruitless, an occasional gem is uncovered.

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Anyone may request specific information from the military, FBI, or other national government agency, office, department, or bureau. The information requested must be for something "on record" (books, maps, papers, or photos). Requests can't be made for physical objects, codes, software, or personal records. The record must exist, as the government isn't obligated to create a new record just for your request. The information requested must be in "public interest," in that it provides information about the performance of the government's duties. The Act doesn't authorize "fishing expeditions." Some specific detail of the record must be given by the requester: title, index citation, subject area, date of record, originator, or description of the circumstances which resulted in the record's creation. A request must "reasonably describe" the record requested. (For complete details, see the House Committee on Government Operation's A Citizen's Guide on Using the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act of 1974 to Request Government Records, Washington, D.C.: GPO, 1991.)

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This may seem complicated, but it just means that you can't send a FOIA request to the U.S. Army asking them to send you a copy of all bigfoot sightings by military personnel. If you are aware of a possible sighting by a soldier on a training mission in Minnesota, you can send a request to a Minnesota base (wherever that might be), asking them to send you a copy of the record of that sighting, giving them the details that you are aware of. You may or may not receive any positive responses from them, but you will receive several letters from the appropriate FOIA officers.

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I've received negative replies for many requests for information on actual sightings, but I have received other information from the government. While trying to figure out if any of the agencies on APG were using larger primates that may have escaped in the past, I asked them to send me a listing of all primates on the installation. Three species were named in their reply.

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A second request brought a negative response, but gave me the name of an official I could contact in the future. I was asking about a small population of unusual black cats reported from Spesutie Island, but the area's Federal Game Warden hadn't seen any in the many years he had been on the island.

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For many requests, creativity is in order. I've heard several investigators say that FOIA requests about military/creature events are useless, but with a little ingenuity (and patience, because these requests can take months for them to answer), some relevant information may be obtained.

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You may not be able to request records from some local or state government agencies, but many states have "open record" laws. Check in your library's reference section to see if they are applicable in your area.

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No matter where you request the information, politeness is the best method to achieve success. The military ingrains all personnel with a policy of "Need To Know." There is a high price to pay if even the smallest secret is leaked. A rigid bureaucratic system and this policy make it difficult to get information. Just remember that FOIA officers are willing to help you if you treat them as fellow human beings, and not as mindless government automatons.

On one occasion, I sent two requests to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Harford County, Maryland. The first question concerned a report of a gorilla-like creature that the APG military police had received in August, 1973, and the second asked for a list of the species of primates currently held on APG premises. The letter was sent January 26, 1993. In response to that letter, I received:

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1) A letter from the Chief, Civil Law Division, advising me that my requests had been forwarded to the Test and Evaluation Command Administrative Services Branch, which handles the FOIA requests for APG. (February 9, 1993)

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2) A letter from the Chief, Administrative Services Division, informing me that my first question was being forwarded to the U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground Support Activity Commander, and the second question was being forwarded to the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, because any primates on APG are supposed to be under their subordinate command, the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense. (February 18, 1993)

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3) A letter from the Installation Freedom of Information Act Officer stating that my first question was being forwarded to the Directorate of Law Enforcement and Security. (February 19, 1993)

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4) A letter from the Lieutenant Colonel, Medical Service Corps, Secretary of the General Staff, informing me that three species of primates (owl, macaque, and rhesus monkeys) are housed at the ASAMRICD facility. (February 25, 1993)

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5) A letter from the Chief Counsel and Staff Judge Advocate stating that no information on the August 1973 event was found during a search for relevant documents and my request had been forwarded to the Department of the Army for preparation of a denial letter. (March 3, 1993)

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6) A letter from the Chief, Administrative Law Division, Department of the Army, stating that no records for the August 1973 event had been found. (March 10, 1993).

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It only took a little over a month for all of this to occur. Was it worth the 29¢ stamp? Certainly. I gained some information and learned a little about government bureaucracy. Do I believe that the August 1973 report never occurred? It may not have been officially recorded, or any reports may have been placed in a file that wasn't searched. I have no way of determining how thorough their search was. The best way of getting information on it now would be to find a soldier who may have participated in the incident.

You may discover recent reports of mystery animals. If you are fortunate enough to receive a report within a day or two of the sighting, you will want to do some field work. (Networking comes in handy for receiving "hot" information.)

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What will you be looking for? When you arrive at the site (after receiving permission from the property owner), get a feel for the lay of the land. What habitats surround the sighting area? Is it forested or marshy, farmland or residential? Where are the nearest bodies of water? Do you see signs of wildlife? You can use this information later when using maps to track sightings.

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The next step is to look for evidence of the animal's presence. This may include:

Tracks (Footprints)
Hair or Stool
Injured or dead animals (occasionally partially eaten)
Unaccountable damage to property

Note everything in detail in a notebook. If possible, photograph all evidence. You will want to place an object such as a pen, coin, or even a ruler in the photograph to show the size. Collect hair and stool samples (after photographing it), but it is very important not to touch any of it with your bare hands. Use tweezers or philatelic tongs for hair samples. You can collect stool in sandwich bags.

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You may find law enforcement officers at the scene, especially if the incident involves loss of property or a car accident. Obviously, don't get in their way. Once they have finished with their investigation, and you have the property owner's permission, the field is yours. The officers may be willing to let you know the results of their investigation. This could be very informative, especially if they acquire blood and hair samples. Their lab results are not 100% accurate, but they are usually reliable.

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What can you do with stool or hair samples? Try to get them to a cryptozoologist for scientific examination. With stool samples, a scientist can look for parasites and run a gas or thin-layer chromatograph. (Johnson, Belden, and Aldred's "Differentiating Mountain Lion and Bobcat Scats" in the Journal of Wildlife Management (Vol. 48, No. 1 (1984): 239-244.) describes how chromatography is beneficial.) With the proper equipment, DNA can be extracted from hair samples. With the DNA, the species of the animal can be determined. If it is from an unidentified animal, it may be possible to determine related species. Most larger universities have the equipment to do this, and the procedure uses about $50 to $100 in supplies. Unfortunately, the many projects that most professors are working on keep them from helping investigators on a regular basis. A grad student may find the project interesting, though.

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Unless you have some background in tracking, you probably won't track the animal very far. If you do find tracks, make casts. The most common method of making casts is to pour plaster of Paris into a form (set around the track). You may wish to investigate the possibility of using plastic or foam casting materials.

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Record in detail the eyewitness' report. If a witness took a photograph of the animal, ask if you can make copies from the negative. Be sure to get permission from the witness before publishing the photo.

Californian Tim Olson, associate editor of The Sasquatch Report, details his search techniques.

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"My first outing ever doing field work regarding bigfoot was in 1984, over Thanksgiving. Warren Thompson took me into the Sierras for three days. We scouted the hills, dirt roads and such, but found nothing. No tracks, no odd smells, and no screams.

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"I continued searching. My philosophy is this: Enjoy being in the wilderness. Never go looking expecting to see a bigfoot or even its tracks. Look and search because that in and of itself is satisfying. I have come across other known animals like black bear, deer, elk, fox, and cougar. They are not the animal which I want so much to see, however it is still thrilling and a bit profound to see these animals in the wild, in their home.

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"Had I gone searching with the notion that I would see one or see its tracks, I would most likely have burned out. It took three years before I found my first evidence. I still may never see the animal itself, but to me that is what is really fun about looking. I think to myself, could it be standing around the next bend? It is the "not-knowing" part which is exciting. I never anticipate the creature ever being where I am, and in so doing, I am never disappointed if I find only trees. However, it is this way of thinking which is really the catalyst which keeps me looking, because one never knows what could be standing or sitting just around the bend."

What if you find an area that has had recent cryptid activity? There are many people who go out looking for bigfoot and other creatures. There are others who state that field research is fruitless, but circumstances may be favorable in your case. Each cryptid requires different techniques, but here are a few points to consider:

Don't go out alone if overnight camping is a new experience. If you are unprepared, you could run into serious problems.
Be prepared for rough hiking. Many areas with sightings have difficult terrain and are inaccessible by vehicle.
Be knowledgeable about survival techniques and first aid. Accidents happen. Just think about pulling a groin muscle a couple miles from your car. (That's a "minor" injury!)
Cryptids are wild animals and potentially dangerous. Don't expect bigfoot to be the gentle forest guardian portrayed in television and movies. There's little chance of harm if you are careful and keep a distance, but don't expect to shake hands.
Do you have a permit for off-trail hiking?
All animals need water, especially primates. Felines may stay near water to catch prey.
Obey all gun regulations in the area. You do NOT want to be caught with an illegal firearm. ("Gee, Ranger, I was just looking for bigfoot.") Better yet, just use a camera.
Travel light, perhaps storing gear at a base camp. Basic equipment: knife, lighter, compass, canteen, water purification tablets, map, snack, camera, binoculars. Water is more important than food.
There are other critters out in the woods. Study their behavior and how to remain safe around them. (Please just do me a favor by not indiscriminately killing snakes.)
You may want to consider a tape recorder and parabolic microphone. There are quite a few gadgets that are useful, if you've got the funds: night scopes, trip-wire camera systems. . . A good pair of eyes and a lot of patience go a long way on their own, though.
Be aware of what is going on around you. You may not see the animal itself, but you may see signs of its presence. Read up on the animal so that you know what to look for.

Michael Frizzell is the research director for the Enigma Project, a private enterprise in Maryland.

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"Any novice 'cryptozoo' field investigator should be equipped with a reliable 35mm format camera -preferably one with wide angle and telephoto capability. A quality tripod would be a plus. Secondly, a notebook and cassette tape recorder are also essential. With the prices of audio amplification equipment coming down, almost anyone can afford a simple parabolic microphone or similar amplification device. A wide variety of units are now available, with several selling for as little as $30.00. With the purchase of inexpensive patch cords, it is also possible to connect these audio devices to a recorder for making permanent cassettes of unusual and/or distant sounds noticed in the field.

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"Additionally, a compact field guide to North American animal tracks is important. Also, if you are planning a hike in rugged terrain or a wilderness area, familiarize yourself ahead of time with the native fauna you might encounter. Take a daypack with food and water, binoculars, a compass, small sample containers, and detailed maps of the region you intend to explore. Lastly, be certain to thoroughly acquaint yourself with the proper use and operation of all the equipment you intend to rely on in the field. Conducting "backyard" drills using cameras, recorders, compass and maps may sound corny, but a little practice may prevent a lost opportunity or a calamity during actual fieldwork."

Let's be honest. Many sightings will turn out to be misidentified animals. Some witnesses will mistake shadows for living creatures. One of my co-workers in Maryland scared herself when she found some large, strange footprints in the snow. They turned out to be boot tracks deformed by melting snow, but they did look remarkably similar to bigfoot tracks. Some folks will try to pull your leg for publicity, money, or fun. When you're dealing with a possible mystery animal sighting, never overlook the possibility of a hoax, especially when dealing with bigfoot reports.

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Here are a few questions to ask yourself when you receive a new sighting:

Is the sighting in an area accessible by a cryptid (isolated areas, wooded corridors)?
Is there a history of such sightings from the past in that region?
Does the general area provide for the needs of the animal (habitat, food, water, space)?

What are some possible mistakes that a witness can make? When it comes to tracks, very rarely will you get a clear track. Get a decent guide to tracks (Peterson's or another such guide) to familiarize yourself with the tracks of native species. When investigating feline tracks, be sure to compare them with dog, fox, coyote, housecat, and bobcat tracks, to rule out those species.

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Possible bigfoot tracks pose different problems. For an analysis of some, see Krantz's book (in Books). One non-debatable point is that no true bigfoot print will have claws. I leave the differences in sizes, shapes, and number of toes to other arenas for discussion. There's a lot of information out there.

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Two "must-read" articles are Mark Chorvinsky and Mark Opsasnick's "The Selbyville Swamp Monster Exposed" (Strange Magazine, No. 4: 6+), and Marc Gaglione's "Assessing the Validity of Sightings" (NABIN Journal, Spring 1993: 11+). The first article details the investigation of a hoax and the second is an excellent "diagnostic chart" to keep in mind.

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Escaped exotics pose more of a problem to Forteana than to cryptozoology. All across the continent, tigers, kangaroos, and big snakes find their way into someone's backyard or neighborhood park. Some are captured, some are killed, and some just wander away never to be seen again. Where do they come from? The exotic pet industry is alive and well, and it would do researchers well to check into the current fads. Not long ago, wallabies, wolves, and big cats were very popular and still are in many areas. Right now, ratites (ostriches, emus, etc.), hedgehogs, sugar gliders, and other small mammals are favorites. Large reptiles are extremely common, and can turn up in unexpected areas.

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Don't forget that zoos will often lose animals, and conveniently forget about them (especially the harmless ones). At last report, the Baltimore Zoo still hadn't recovered an African pink-backed pelican that escaped in June of 1992 (and had survived the winter of 1992-93). Can an exotic survive the harsh northern winters? Some can't, but I know of a few that have. (Alligators burrowing into muddy swamps, birds staying in warm areas near hydro-electric plants, etc.)

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Should we attribute every report of a strange animal to escaped pets? No, but if the animal sounds like an exotic, and there are no historical or corresponding reports, then I start with the hypothesis that the animal is an escapee. If I can successfully eliminate that hypothesis, then I look for a less "mundane" answer.

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Does a hoax or misidentification render the investigation fruitless? Absolutely not! They are experiences to learn from. They are opportunities to test your skills and practice your technique. (They build character.) You'll also gain some insight into how people perceive the natural world and how they react to disturbances in their "normal" environment.

Ideally, the analysis of a cryptozoological puzzle would follow the scientific method. After all, if cryptozoology purports to be a science, then the rules of science must be followed. (Most problems between cryptozoology and "academia" seem to occur when assumptions are mistaken for rules. But that's another story.) What is the scientific method? It's a procedure in logic. It follows a simple outline, seeking to determine what is true.

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1. What is the problem?

2. What facts or data relate to the problem?

3. Can a hypothesis be formed from the known data?

4. Will this hypothesis stand up to rigorous testing?

5. Can a theory be formed from the hypothesis?

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The process then continues, with more testing, more collection of data, and more analysis. When testing, be brutal. If you aren't, your critics will be. There is nothing wrong with replacing your theory if new facts render the original theory invalid. That's science. Too often, science is considered an unchanging system, an ultimate seat of truth. It's not. Rather, it's a tool by which we can seek to understand ourselves and the world we live in. Naturally, as our understanding changes and develops, so will our theories about what we do not yet understand.

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With a cryptozoological puzzle, you can follow this outline by determining which cryptid was seen and which facts pertain to it: sighting reports, historical background, information on the area, etc. Then, form a hypothesis and evaluate it carefully. Are there reasons to disqualify it? Continue to evaluate it until you decide that it is worth presenting to other investigators.

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Unfortunately, cryptozoology has one problem. A true theory must be testable. There must be a method by which an experiment can be performed and evaluated. We cannot experimentally prove that any particular cryptid exists. This is not as big a problem as it may seem, as theories on the origin of the universe, the origin of life, etc., also cannot be proven experimentally, yet are often held to be facts. Rather, circumstantial evidence and statistical evaluation of data must serve in the stead of rigorous experimentation. Without experimentation, though, a hypothesis is on unsteady ground and subject to criticism.

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If you have the time and opportunity, there is one method of scientific methodology that you can pursue: the survey. While I have no interest in UFO's (despite a close proximity to Wright-Patterson AFB), I came across I. Scott's "Survey of Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon Reports in Delaware County, OH," (1987. Ohio Journal of Science 87 (1): 24-26.) and am sure that the same methods can be used in cryptid investigations.

Ray Crowe is the director of the Western Bigfoot Society in Portland, Oregon. He offers this narration on analyzing cryptozoological information.

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"Probably only those readers that already possess an open mind will read this. . . but a very open mind is necessary when considering bigfoot, unicorns, Loch Ness, or UFO's. But, listening to an informant's tale attentively, one should always wear a good set of "skepticals." Information concerning hairy creatures is rife; some good, some strange, some in error, and some the result of a hoaxer, liar, or exaggeration. Keep in mind, also, bigfoot's existence has not been proven . . . any information might be true, or false. It's up to you to decide what data you want to believe . . . but never 100%.

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"I was told a tale once of a police officer who had seen a bigfoot. At the scene, the officer was embarrassed as he pointed to a large burnt stump, "Bigfoot." A lie detector test could have been easily passed. The moral of the story -- no matter how good the information or reliable the source, it might be in error . . . or true, or distorted. Keep in mind also, even an alcoholic, drug addict, or bum might see bigfoot . . . and their stories might even be more reliable, as a curious bigfoot might not feel threatened near them.

"Reliability. An old Perry Mason TV show had the detective in a classroom scenario where the door suddenly burst open, a man ran in and shot a student, and hurried away. Perry had all the students write a description of what they had seen in the mock killing. No two stories were the same, of course. All had some variation.

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"The point being, even good information might not be entirely reliable. I take the approach that every tale might have a grain of truth. If 40 people tell you they saw bigfoot eating oranges, then I believe bigfoot eats oranges . . . even though 10 of the people might be lying, 10 more in error -- that is, a bear or something else ate an orange, and others relating something that they read or saw on TV.

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"So, volume is important in the stories. Not the record of the witnesses, the look in his eye during an interview (he might be nervous about relating something unpopular), or variation in information during the interview (he might not be sure if the thing was 8 foot or 9 foot tall). The main thing is to appear to believe everything he says, even if you know for sure he's lying.

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"I watch for unique information in a report. 'The creature had a big scar on his face,' or 'they jumped out of a UFO and grabbed a dog.' Often unsupported by other data, this is probably the 'meat' of learning new information about bigfoot. Eventually you will pick up the same information from another source, and eventually a behavioral pattern develops that brings you much closer to understanding the actions of a possible new animal/human species."

Once you have investigated a sighting, let others know about it. This is beneficial in several ways. First, it alerts other investigators to watch for similar reports. Second, it lets others know that you are remaining active, and they may send you pertinent information. Third, in an organized format, it allows investigators to compare it with their own reports. This latter point is especially important in scientific circles. That's the whole point of journals such as Science and Nature. When information is presented openly, it can be subjected to the poking and prodding that is necessary in the search for accurate and useful data.

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Most Fortean magazines and newsletters accept new reports, so you shouldn't find it difficult to publish your information. If you find writing difficult, just remember to be succinct, but informative. Give as many details as possible, while maintaining witness confidentiality. Point out any special remarks by witnesses, compare the present sighting to past reports, and bring up unusual aspects that warrant futher investigation. Before sending in your article, send a SASE to the editor of the magazine for a copy of their "Writer's Guidelines."

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You may find that writing up your reports is an enjoyable task. Even if you don't discover a new species, you'll have a tangible outcome of your effort that will benefit other investigators.

Every investigator should have a library. Never overlook the potential benefits of a good reference book. They help in finding common denominators in mystery animal sightings. After reading through past case studies, you will see patterns develop, behavioral traits emerge, and "hot spots" (areas with extraordinary quantities of sightings) appear.

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Reading through the literature will give you a good sense of the history behind your investigations. You can learn new techniques, discover new areas to explore, and ponder the various theories about these creatures. Join at least one organization. It will allow you to keep up with the latest developments in the field.

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Most of the references listed here are general (and a bit heavy on bigfoot). [*2017: References are not listed here.] There are many others that deal with specific issues. Besides collecting books and articles on cryptozoology, study the "normal" natural world. To study cryptids, you must first know the recognized species and their behavioral traits. You may also find that natural history is as fascinating as the "mysterious." (Two good author/naturalists are Gerald Durrell and the late Ivan T. Sanderson.) My other hobby is herpetoculture, the study and care of reptiles and amphibians, and I'm always thrilled when I can combine the two with accounts of giant snakes and monstrous salamanders, regardless of whether I believe they exist.

Ohio's Miami Valley is not known for an abundance of cryptid sightings. The area surrounding Dayton is well populated and spotted only infrequently with remnant or replanted forests. There is still a good array of wildlife in the area, though. Deer and small mammals are common, the bird life is rich, and it's a rare hike when I can't find any signs of reptiles or amphibians. Because of human machinations, though, there just doesn't seem to be room for mystery animals.

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Or so I thought, until I came across a short mention in the newspaper about a big cat seen south of Dayton. Within the next few days, more mention was given to it, but the information was scant. The Miami Township (Montgomery County) police were investigating a "tiger" sighted on May 27, 1994. A Centerville resident had videotaped the feline, but the image didn't show precise details. The general area was searched by police and Humane Society officials, but the search was called off after a week went by without results.

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The final article gave the name of the primary witness and the conclusion of the police -- the "tiger" was a housecat. Why that particular answer? The witness had helped the police superimpose images of humans onto the tape to calculate the size, and the cops decided that it was not large enough to be "a tiger or cougar." The witness didn't agree, but the official "verdict" had been issued, and so the "tiger" was written off as a wandering domestic cat.

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I had paid attention to the case, but wasn't particularly excited by it. After all, within the past year there had been at least two cases of pet tigers in the area escaping. Both had been rounded up. I didn't see any reason for this situation to be any different, thereby breaking one of my own "rules." (Never assume a situation is normal until you know all the facts.) I did have four clippings from the paper:

"Tiger on the loose." Dayton (OH) Daily News 5/27/94: B1.
Rodrigues, Janet. "Lions, tigers, and alligators? Oh, my!" Dayton (OH) Daily News 5/28/94: B1.
Babcock, Jim and Terrence L. Johnson. "Neither hide nor hair seen of 2 animals." Dayton (OH) Daily News 5/29/94: B1.
Hernandez, Carol. "Police drop tiger tale; man wary." Dayton (OH) Daily News 6/2/94: B1.

(The second critter mentioned above was a caiman that someone dumped into the Miami river. It hasn't been seen since.)

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I decided to write a letter to the man who videotaped the cat, asking him to fill out a report form, but his address wasn't in the phone book. Rather than call directory assistance, (I wasn't in any particular hurry), I wrote to one of the reporters. She called me in a few days, letting me know that no further developments had occurred, and that she had thrown out the notes on the case, so she couldn't give me the witness' address.

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I decided to go ahead and call the witness. A few details were nagging me about the police search, and I thought he might be able to clear things up. From that telephone interview, I gleaned several facts:

The "tiger" was actually a lioness or cougar. The media had jumped on that term, but the feline had no stripes (or mane), was orange-yellow, had a lion-like gait, and was approximately 2 1/2 feet high.
The cat was seen early in the morning, from an office window about 300 yards away. The cat was taller than the surrounding brush, and exhibited normal feline behavior (rolling around in the grass), before wandering off.
The police search bordered on the humorous: beating drums at night in the manner of the Indian maharajah-style tiger hunts, using night scopes, and setting out bait.
Four or five days after this sighting, an anonymous woman called the witness and stated that her husband had seen the big cat on the same road on Saturday, May 28, and had called the police about it.
The police detective in charge of the search finally told the witness, "I have to close this case." It was a matter of internal pressure, (neighbors were getting panicky), and not any video-evidence, that hastened the closure of the investigation.

So, the incident was turning into something more than your ordinary escaped exotic episode. I was especially interested in the police search. One of the newspaper clippings mentioned that the police had tried to lure the feline with raw chicken and liver. When nothing attempted to eat it, the police considered this negative evidence. Of course, this immediately brings up a question. Why didn't any coyotes, foxes, raccoons, skunks, stray dogs, cats, etc., go after it either? (Sheesh.) When I heard about the drums, I was sure the cat had disappeared into the horizon.

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The witness then told me that he had heard of some sightings in Carlisle and Springboro, both south of Dayton in Warren County. I took a day off and visited the libraries in Springboro, Franklin, and Carlisle to search through their recent newspapers and to post a few fliers. I was pleased to find several articles:

Breakfield, Myndi. "Springboro safari fails to uncover Bengal tiger." The Star Press (Springboro, OH) 6/7/94: A1.
Breakfield, Myndi. "Female lion reported seen in Carlisle area." The Star Press (Springboro, OH) 7/5/94: A1.
Breakfield, Myndi. "Wild lion looked for in Warren County." The Western Star (Lebanon, OH) 7/6/94: A7.
Goode, Janet. "Mother Tongue: Panthers and gators and bears - Oh, my!" The Western Star (Lebanon, OH) 6/15/94: B5.

There were two sightings involved here: A woman spotted a large, orange animal (the newspapers, not the woman, called it a tiger) running through the woods near the Dayton General South Airport on June 1, and another woman saw "a young lion" walking through some weeds near Carlisle on June 29. The second witness saw the cat in greater detail, describing it as about waist high, un-maned, and reddish-gold in color. The newspaper articles brought up the point that two years ago, a Springboro man had lost two lion cubs in the area that were never recovered. A Cincinnati Zoo vet was interviewed, and he stated that it would be unlikely for a young lion to survive the recent harsh winters.

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My efforts to contact these two women were not successful. The witness for whom I have an address, but no name, has not responded to my letters. I have the name of the other witness, but she isn't in the phone book and my letters, sent to what I believed was her address, were returned by the post office.

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One of the fliers I left at a library paid off, though. I received a phone call from a Franklin parent whose young son was scared by a "big cat." The cat was about 3 feet tall at the shoulders, sandy brown or tan in color, and had a 2 1/2 foot-long tail. The boy was about 100 feet from the cat, and watched as it walked across a field, turned to look at the boy, and then stepped through a barbwire fence. When the boy ran into his house to tell his parents, the cat disappeared, but they found paw prints (5 inches long, 4-5 inches wide, no claw marks) and "a slight odor, reminding me of a cat-house in a zoo." The boy's sighting was 4 days prior to the sighting in Miami Township, making it the earliest known report. (Not to any surprise, the cat was seen heading in a northerly direction.)

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The cat traveled from Franklin north to Miami Township, then south and southwest to Springboro and Carlisle. My guess was that it went further south, into the farming communities and larger wooded regions. As I recently found out, that was correct.

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There have been several recent sightings of the cat in Highland county. I received a call from the Franklin parent stating that a Cincinnati news station reported sightings in Hillsboro. I called up the Highland County Sheriff's Department to get some information. A deputy provided me with some very interesting facts:

There were several sightings. One lady saw it chasing a deer on November 10, 1994. The next day, a man found a freshly killed 6-point buck with its left hindquarter gone and a broken leg. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources stated that the deer was a roadkill gnawed on by raccoons. No throat damage or claw marks were seen on it.
The last sighting the deputy was aware of was just over the county line, north into Clinton county. Tracks were found, measuring 4 inches broad, 5 inches heel to toe, 3/4 inch deep. (These later were matched to a dog.)
The sightings (approx. 3-4 in Highland county, 1-2 in Clinton county) were over an 8 mile span, heading north.
No such sightings have happened before in the county. Exotic pet owners were checked by authorities, but none were reported missing. (But then, an illegally owned pet probably wouldn't be reported missing.)
ODNR said it wasn't their jurisdiction because they don't handle exotics. The Sheriff's Dept. usually ends up with these cases.

A number of newspaper articles have cropped up about the cat. These include:

Baird, Don. "Mystery animal stalking two counties." Columbus (OH) Dispatch 11/27/94: 1A.
"Elusive feline at large?" Press Gazette (Hillsboro, OH) 11/15/94: 1.
Gilliland, Jeff and Leone Bihl. "'Wild animal' sightings continue." Lynchburg (OH) News 11/17/94: 1.
"Large cat-like animal reported near Lynchburg." Wilmington (OH) News Journal 11/14/94: 1.

Sighting localities and the names of several witnesses are given in these articles. They also show a photograph of one paw cast. When I stopped in Hillsboro, I spoke briefly with the sheriff, who noted that ODNR was analyzing it to determine whether it was actually feline. No one connected the recent sightings with last spring's. There is little communication between law enforcement agencies on these matters.

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One interesting (or puzzling) observation was noted in Baird's article. A woman claimed that the cat was sniffing around her home on Turner Road and "let out a great big roar, and then it went off running into the woods." Neither a cougar nor a lioness would "roar."

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What is it? It may be that a cougar is roaming around in southwest Ohio's farmlands, fields and forests. If it was an abandoned lioness or a young lion, I don't know if it would survive the northern winters or not. Baird interviewed a Columbus zoo curator who stated that an abandoned pet cougar could survive on small game and roadkill. (Believe me, there are quite a few deer littering the roads in this area.) The curator stated that the cat is likely an adult, 60-100 lbs., and "would hunt in a circular pattern before picking a permanent territory that might cover 15 to 25 square miles."

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That last fact is important. The feline had, in fact, followed a roughly circular pattern in its meanderings. The last reports had it roughly in the area known as Pricetown.

[1997 note - I never received any further reports about this animal. It's likely that it continued wandering, and may now be in the large tracts of woodland in southern Ohio. Cougar were once a native animal in Ohio, so it could easily have survived the most recent mild winters.]

[2002 note - I see that Loren Coleman has noted this account in his recent edition of Mysterious America as a supporting candidate for the "American Lion" theory. Without going into detail, as the entire "extant Panther atrox" theory is riddled with holes, I have seen no reason to consider this account as anything but a transient cougar. Coleman provides no argument to counter that theory, rather ignoring it completely and apparently expecting us to allow the media's flawed "naming" (such as "Bengal tiger") to make us think that stripes or spots were confidently noted. Reports by those witnesses with a good look at the animal all indicated a cougar's coloration and form. I actually have an idea where the animal came from — A local newscast stated that a law enforcement officer residing in a small town west of Dayton with a pet tiger and a pet cougar left town hurriedly around that time period, leaving behind the tiger in the police department's care. No mention was made of the cougar's whereabouts — I suspect he just let it go into the woods. Certainly, the Dayton-area environment is a poor candidate for any unknown feline's choice of habitat.]

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