OLL LEWIS: 5 Questions on… Cryptozoology - SCOTT CORRALES

Today’s guest is Scott Corrales. Scott is a writer and researcher of both cryptozoology and ufology. He does invaluable work translating research and articles from Spanish to English, without which many sightings of cryptids and UFOs would remain largely unknown in English-speaking countries. Scott is the writer and editor of Inexplicata (the journal of the Institute of Hispanic Ufology), which features paranormal cases from Spain, the Caribbean and South America and is well worth visiting on your travels around the internet. http://inexplicata.blogspot.com/.

So, Scott Corrales, here are your 5 questions on… Cryptozoology.

1) How did you first become interested in cryptozoology?

I've probably given a different answer elsewhere but I think that was a result of reading Editorial Posada's weekly 'DUDA' (Doubt) magazines in my childhood. Issue #9 was about the Loch Ness Monster and it had a positively terrifying image of the creature emerging from a petroleum-black sea. In later years I learned of the Mothman through Antonio Ribera's Ovins en las Americas (UFOs over the Americas) and the illustrations were equally memorable. Smithsonian Magazine's 1973 or '74 feature on Bigfoot was the first time I'd ever heard of the entity and it really grabbed my attention. Two years later I bought a few Bigfoot books at Marboro Books in New York City and I was good to go: a 12-year-old cryptozoologist!

2) Have you ever personally seen a cryptid or secondary evidence of a cryptid, if so can you please describe your encounter?

The closest I've come has been secondary evidence: plaster casts and dirt impressions of the Pennsylvania Bigfoot.

3) Which cryptids do you think are the most likely to be scientifically discovered and described some day, and why?

This is a difficult one. I think that unknown species will continue to be discovered as they have been over the past decade, and that the jungles of South America, Africa and Indochina hold many surprises. However, the creatures that intrigue me - Bigfoot, the Chupacabras, Mothman, etc. - are in my opinion, visitors from another reality. Science will do its best to explain them away, but sightings and encounters will continue.

4) Which cryptids do you think are the least likely to exist?

I'm sure most respondents will say that the creatures I consider paranormal are the least likely to exist, yet exist they do.

5) If you had to pick your favourite cryptozoological book (not including books you may have written yourself) what would you choose?

The Mothman Prophecies by John A. Keel, without hesitation.