CRYPTOZOOLOGY ONLINE: Still on the Track: July 2011

Sunday, July 31, 2011

MUIRHEAD`S MYSTERIES: NEW ZEALAND GOLDFISH SURVIVE QUAKE

The following heart warming item appeared in The Guardian on July 28th 2011

Pet Goldfish found alive after earthquake

“Two goldfish left behind during the earthquake in Christchurch that killed 181 people in February, have been found alive after four and a half months trapped in their tank without food or power for their filter. The fish were on display in the reseption area of Quantum accountants in the downtown area, which was made off-limits after the quake. Company director Vicky Thornley, who has given them to her son, said she was sure they would be dead when she was finally allowed back into the building. The fact that three of their companions had disappeared may be a clue to their survival. (1)

1. The Guardian July 28th 2011

QUERY: Has anyone ever experienced a phobia about butterflies,or heard of one? I would be interested to know

HAUNTED SKIES: MAGAZINE ARTICLE - 'This Week' 7.5.67

http://hauntedskies.blogspot.com/2011/07/magazine-article-this-week-7567.html

OLL LEWIS: Yesterday's News Today

http://cryptozoologynews.blogspot.com/

On this day in 1252 the explorer Giovanni da Pian del Carpine died.
And now the news:

How Bats Stay On Target Despite the Clutter
Rare sea creature and slimy surprise found in Corn...
First ospreys fledge at Cors Dyfi in over 400 year...
Boone Bans Animal Noises, Horns, Yelling
Joanna Lumley, Ricky Gervais and Sir Roger Moore j...
Another hunting safari operator identified as key ...
South Korean scientists create glowing dog: report...
'Vampire' stalks Siberian livestock
Pit bull puppy saves Air Force veteran from commit...
How to Invite Bats for Dinner

What is the point of his shenanigans:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjXAAS3VpeY

NICK REDFERN: What happens if we find Bigfoot?

Just a few days ago I was lecturing in San Antonio, Texas, on the subject of my most recent book, The Real Men in Black. Although the lecture was primarily UFO-based, after it was over one of the attendees came up to me and asked: “What will happen if we find Bigfoot?”

Read on...

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UPDATES AND THINGS...

It appears that the goblins of the internet scrambled the link in This Story yesterday. Many thanks to Dale for pointing it out. I have now fixed the link and everything should be hunky-dory.

You may remember this story about a charity auction by Circlemakers in aid of Sea Shepherd. Matthew Williams writes:

The Circlemakers auction had 30 bidders and raised £620 for Sea Shepherd selling 112 lots. A signed stomper board fetched £90 and the original diagram for the Basket fetched £26. Good news for Sea Shepherd and thanks to the Circlemakers who donated and all who passed on the info for the night.

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Saturday, July 30, 2011

PRUDENCE FEELS VERY SORRY FOR THIS DOGGY

http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/862574-sweeeeeet-talking-dog-blows-youtube-viewers-away

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SECOND BROOD THIS YEAR FOR THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY

http://apaturairis.blogspot.com/

NAOMI WEST: Puddle Monster V - The Terror Continues

I was gone all day today, running errands. When I got home, I was startled to discover a gathering of Wiccans surrounding my valve box, attempting to call up the puddle monster. I guess word travels fast. (I hated to interrupt, but I had to request that they leave because my husband needed to trim weeds.) However, apparently their ritual worked because after dark I was able to catch the clearest picture yet of the monster. I have already been accused of photo-shopping, but I give you my word that this picture is authentic. I feel very honoured to have this mysterious and elusive creature living in my flooded valve box. I am appealing to the Environmental Protection Agency, as my husband is making plans to repair the valve box and ruin the monster's habitat.

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HAUNTED SKIES: MAGAZINE ARTICLE - 'This Week' 3.5.1967

http://hauntedskies.blogspot.com/2011/07/magazine-article-this-week-351967.html

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OLL LEWIS: Yesterday's News Today

http://cryptozoologynews.blogspot.com/

On this day in 1980, in the fictional Harry Potter universe, Harry Potter was born.
And now the news:

Christian: The lion who lived on the King's Road (...
Dolphin hunts with electric sense (via Dawn Hollow...
articles on misidentifications of mystery aquatics...
Rapid Venom Evolution in Pit Vipers May Be Defensi...
Deal will hurry hundreds of species onto endangere...
Federation launches fishing line recovery, recycli...
Dead bodies grab our interest (Via Herp Digest)
I Killed the Bufo (Via Herp Digest)
Detailed fossil found in China is the oldest examp...
Plastics Killing Terengganu's Turtles (Via Herp Di...
Dancing goat 'like a kid'
Fish and Wildlife Service Announces a Proposal to ...
More Reasons Not to Abandon the Baby Turtle Ban (...
Penny-Wise Preservation-Could cost-conscious spend...

Float on (slightly creepy clip so kids you have been warned):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzoPUHKZTNM

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Friday, July 29, 2011

LIZ CLANCY: 'No pets' no more

Promising news for all pooch pals and felid friends that don't or won't own their own home: the Dogs Trust have a campaign called Lets With Pets that's intended to make it less of a hassle renting a property for dog- and cat-owners. Like me, you may have been more than daunted by 'no pets' warnings in hosts of property ads and ended up renting a place not fit for the strayest of strays, just to keep the furry one of your family living with you. Lets With Pets encourages letting agents and landlords (and ladies) to welcome responsible dog- and cat-owners. The campaign provides advice and information so those with the keys won't mind handing them over to Rover. To help, you can fill in a survey (www.letswithpets.org.uk) about your own experiences.

Unfortunately, if you're partial to pythons or in love with llamas, you're probably on your own.

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ANDREW MAY: Words from the Wild Frontier

From Crypto Squad USA:
The CFZ's Weird Weekend - August 19-21
Micah & Manimals

From Nick Redfern's "There's Something in the Woods...":
Naomi's Nessie - The Continuing Saga
A White Bigfoot Caught on Film?
Hilary Evans RIP
Cryptid Fest
Weird Weekend 2011 - Details
Cryptid Fest Update

From CFZ Australia:
Here be monsters, says Dr Charles Paxton
Koala joey a bit hit at zoo
New mini frog species discovered in Pilbara
Australia a cryptid hotspot (but we knew that, right?)
Golden Bowerbird hovers on the edge of extinction
Wild Aussie visits the urban jungle
Weird Weekend 2011 *update*

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GEORGE: The biggest dog in the world?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2017884/Biggest-dog-world-Meet-George-7ft-long-Great-Dane--whos-terrified-chihuahuas.html

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Beached Carcasses

This article on ten mysterious monsters washed up around the world is of interest for many reasons. But check out #5 - the skull of this dead seal is languishing in a bucket of formalin in the CFZ Museum....

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CASSIE M LAUNCHES A NEW BLOG...

http://thenookofwisdom.wordpress.com/2011/07/27/the-library-of-wisdom/

HAUNTED SKIES: MAGAZINE ARTICLE - This Week 15.5.66

http://hauntedskies.blogspot.com/2011/07/magazine-article-this-week-15566.html

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OLL LEWIS: Yesterday's News Today

http://cryptozoologynews.blogspot.com/

On this day in 1932 Walt Disney released the first cartoon short to use three strip Technicolor, 'Flowers and Trees'.
And now the news:

articles on misidentifications of mystery aquatics...
People at darker, higher latitudes evolved bigger ...
Illegal Animal Trade: Eskimo Hunters Plead Guilty
Patches the dog on death row saves his own life by...
Video: Thylacine Sighting from Jan 2009?
Australia's fattest dog put on diet
Blainville's beaked whales enter stealth mode
Are they out there? Kent's big cat sightings revea...
Scientists warn of 'Planet of the Apes' scenario
Columba met a bear, not Nessie
'Missing snake' strikes fear into quiet Swiss town...
Okla. Officials Find Doughnuts Help Trap Bears
Dog nurses 2 ligers after tiger mom abandons them
Grand Cayman blue iguana: back from the brink
Extinct in Wild, Tiny Tanzanian Toad Thrives in La...

I could post something news related as the vaguely related video today but instead I'm sure you would much rather see 'Flowers and Trees'. Just before the 7 minute mark you can see a hoop snake caterpillar, so keep your eye open for that:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTuIb7BIFqk

Thursday, July 28, 2011

LATEST ON 'FRONTIERS OF ANTHROPOLOGY`

Two new posts continuing the Atlantis theme, the first speculating on the surviving cultures of Global Superflood 3 (event 1c, which is equivalent to the Black Sea Flood, ca 5500BC) and what this may imply for the cultural level of the Antediluvians:
http://frontiers-of-anthropology.blogspot.com/2011/07/post-69.html

And a post on the Peoples of the Sea as representing the Last Remnant Atlanteans:
http://frontiers-of-anthropology.blogspot.com/2011/07/last-atlanteans-show-themselves.html
The most recent two blogs have gone up at the Frontiers of Anthropology: the first concerns an internet news item about an "Atlantis-Like" area of submerged off of Scotland:
http://frontiers-of-anthropology.blogspot.com/2011/07/atlantis-like-submerged-landscape-nr.html

And the most recent blog posting concerns the interpretation of Phaethon's Wild Ride as a Celestial Catastrophe:
http://frontiers-of-anthropology.blogspot.com/2011/07/phaethons-bolide.html

And after that I shall probably be returning to Yeti and Neanderthal stuff for a while.
Best Wishes, Dale D.

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MORE ON THE BADGER CULL

Dear Jonathan,

The results are in. 87% of us think that we should work together to stop the government's plan to shoot thousands of badgers next spring. [1]

The government is consulting on their plans now until Sept 20th. [2] That means we could have just six weeks to push them to cancel the badger cull plan.

When thousands of us signed the 38 Degrees petition against England's forests being sold off, that helped persuade the government to cancel the plans. Now we can do the same to protect badgers with a huge petition against these plans to shoot them.

Can you sign the "stop this badger cull" petition now?
https://secure..38degrees.org.uk/badgers-petition

There's been a big debate among 38 Degrees members about badger culls. Some of us believe killing badgers would be wrong under any circumstances. Some of us believe that if the science really proved that shooting badgers could make a real dent in the cow TB problem, it would be a tragic necessity. [3]

But 87% of us agree on this: the government's current plans to shoot England's badgers simply don't stack up. The government's own scientific advisers warn that it won't solve the problem of TB in cattle, and could even make it worse. [4]

Please add your name to support a scientific approach to tackling cow TB, and against the government's plan to shoot badgers:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/badgers-petition

Cow TB is a terrible problem. It leads to the slaughter of thousands of cows, costs millions of pounds, and places terrible strain on farmers and their families. [5]

But the government has scrapped trials of badger vaccines. [6] They fail to compensate farmers for the full impact of the disease. [7] Instead they're proposing to launch a badger-shooting plan their own experts say won't solve the problem.

Together, we can persuade the government to invest in a long-term, science-led approach to cow TB. We can stand up for real solutions not unscientific political gestures. And we can make sure that thousands of wild creatures aren't needlessly slaughtered in the process.

The government is consulting on the plans right now. If we don't stop them, badger shoots could begin in a matter of months. Can you take 30 seconds now to add your name to the petition?
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/badgers-petition

Thanks for getting involved,

Marie, Hannah, David, Cian, Johnny, Becky and the 38 Degrees team

NOTES:
[1] 38 Degrees blog post http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/2011/07/28/badger-vote-results/
[2] DEFRA "key stakeholders" consultation http://www.defra.gov.uk/consult/2011/07/19/bovine-tb/
[3] 38 Degrees blog post and discussion - http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/2011/07/19/badgers-trial-shoots-to-go-ahead/ and Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/peoplepowerchange
[4] Government scientists say that if a cull isn't carried out "in a co-ordinated, sustained and simultaneous manner according to the minimum criteria, then this could result in a smaller benefit or even a detrimental effect." See article - http://www.meatinfo.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/12950/Ministers_to_back_badger_cull.html and notes from DEFRA meeting April 4th 2011 - http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/atoz/tb/documents/bovinetb-scientificexperts-110404.pdf
Oxford academic Lord John Krebs led a government inquiry into the link between badgers and cow tuberculosis. He says of the government's plans: "I can't understand how anybody who's looked at the science would say this is a good idea." See more here: http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/2011/07/19/badgers-trial-shoots-to-go-ahead/#update
Dr Chris Cheeseman, former head of the Wildlife Disease Unit, says of the government's plan to cull badgers over six-week periods to try to reduce the chances of making the problem worse - "Where they get the six-week period from is a mystery to me - somebody's just picked a figure out of the air." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14204236
Professor John Bourne and six other members of the expert group set up by the government Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB, 1998-2007 wrote in a letter to The Times on 13 July 2011: "Having overseen a decade-long programme of independently-audited and peer-reviewed research on this topic, we caution that such culls may not deliver the anticipated reductions in cattle TB." http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/letters/article3091989.ece
[5] DEFRA information page on cow TB and its effects on farmers http://www.defra.gov.uk/animal-diseases/a-z/bovine-tb/
[6] Farmers Guardian article "Badger vaccination project scrapped in all but one area" http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/latest-news/badger-vaccination-project-scrapped-in-all-but-one-area/32742.article
[7] Farmers Weekly article "TB compensation falls short of disease cost" http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/2010/10/06/123864/TB-compensation-falls-short-of-disease-cost.htm

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Dusky Marbled Brown

http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=2810

Britain's second-only Dusky Marbled B

rown since 1853, at Dungeness Bird Observatory (Kent) on the night of the 26th, following the only other recent one at nearby New Romney on 17th June 2003.

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WEIRD WEEKEND PRESS RELEASE

http://cfzpressreleases.blogspot.com/2011/07/devon-gathering-is-worlds-weirdest.html

For one weekend a year the tiny North Devon village of Woolsery becomes the weirdest village in the land. The largest gathering of scholars of esoteric natural history in the English-speaking world, is set to take place in rural north Devon. The Centre for Fortean Zoology’s annual conference, the Weird Weekend, will see speakers from all over the country gathering Woolsery to discuss their work and discoveries.

The Weird Weekend,held over the weekend of the 19-21st August, now in its 12 year is the largest convention of its kind. This year’s speakers include one of the world’s leading geneticists Professor Bryan Sykes. Professor Sykes will be speaking on the yeti and samples of hair he has tested. Continuing the theme, cryptozoologist Richard Freeman will be talking about the Centre for Fortean Zoology’s latest expedition that took them into the Garo Hills of northern India on the track of the yeti.

Last year at the convention scientists announced that hairs found in local woodland were those of a leopard. These findings were later confirmed by DNA analysis. A world exclusive this year comes from Dr Darren Naish from Portsmouth University and Max Blake from Bristol University who will produce conclusive proof that over 100 years ago there were still mystery cats in Devon.

Other speakers include Fortean researcher Matt Salusbury who has been on the track of pigmy elephants in India, entomologist Nick Wadham on giant spiders, cryptozoologist Adam Davies on the orang-pendek, the mystery ape of Sumatra, and Glen Vaudrey on the waterhorse, a sea serpent from Scottish legend.

As well as monstrous creatures, other esoteric subjects are covered. Former police officer John Hanson describes UFO cases reaching back to the 1940s.

Other subjects include Ronan Coghlan on the labours of Hercules, and Henry Hartley on Fortean aspects of the modern Mayans.

As well as a series of talks there will be stalls, workshops and events.

The Weird Weekend raises funds for village charities dealing with children and for the Centre for Fortean Zoology, the only full time organization in the world dedicated to the investigation of mystery animals.

The Weird Weekend takes place from 19th-21st of August.
For further details visit http://www.weirdweekend.org/
Or ring 01237 431413

NOTES TO EDITORS

* The Centre for Fortean Zoology [CFZ] is the world’s largest mystery animal research organisation. It was founded in 1992 by British author Jonathan Downes (52) and is a company limited by guarantee registered with HM Government.
* Life-president of the CFZ is Colonel John Blashford-Snell OBE, best known for his groundbreaking youth work organising the ‘Operation Drake’ and ‘Operation Raleigh’ expeditions in the 1970s and 1980s.
* CFZ Director Jonathan Downes is the author and/or editor of over 20 books. His latest book is Island of Paradise, his first hand account of two expeditions to the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico in search of the grotesque vampiric chupacabra.
* The CFZ have carried out expeditions across the world including India, Russia, Sumatra, Mongolia, Guyana, Gambia, Texas, Mexico, Thailand, Puerto Rico, Illinois, Loch Ness, and Loch Morar.
* CFZ Press are the world’s largest publishers of books on mystery animals. They also publish Animals & Men, the world’s only cryptozoology magazine, and The Amateur Naturalist, Britain’s only dedicated magazine on the subject.
* The CFZ produce their own full-length documentaries through their media division called CFZtv. One of their films `Lair of the Red Worm` which was released in early 2007 and documents their 2005 Mongolia expedition has now been seen by nearly 90,000 people.
* The CFZ is based in Jon Downes’ old family home in rural North Devon which he shares with his wife Corinna (55). It is also home to various members of the CFZ’s permanent directorate and a collection of exotic animals.
* Jonathan Downes presents a monthly web TV show called On the Track which covers cryptozoology and work of the CFZ.
* Following their successful partnership with Capcom http://www.capcom.com/ on the 2007 Guyana expedition, the CFZ are looking for more commercial sponsors.

MUIRHEAD` MYSTERIES: SOME ODD COLOURED MOLES IN AN INVERNESS MUSEUM

Dear cryptodudes and dudettes,

The other day I found the following story from 1987 in my archives concerning unusually coloured moles. It is from The Guardian`s Country Diary column which only yesterday (Monday July 25th) turned up an interesting butterfly story from Suffolk. Anyway, here we go:

A COUNTRY DIARY

INVERNESS:While looking at specimens in the storage rooms of the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, I was shown a box containing three mounted moles. You could expect to find such things in a museum; but not a black mole, a white mole and a piebald mole. The white fur on two of the specimens was slightly creamy, but I guessed this was fading with age and originally they had possibly been an albino and a partial albino. Unfortunately there was no information about date or origin, and I could find no mention of colour variety in my reference books.The museum kindly lent me the three specimens, and on my monthly field trip with BBC Highland I asked for informa

tion about the three moles and whether anyone had seen any colour variations. We were delighted with the response: a few people telephoned the museum and a small number handed in information. One person thought the three specimens had been caught on the Ness Castle Estate in 1926. Apparently such colour forms are not unusual in the area. Others said they ad occasionally seen white moles.Two weeks later someone brought in a golden yellow mole found at Ness Castle Estate; it had white fur , tipped with golden yellow. It was back to the books again, and at last I did find a reference in A Vertebrate Fauna of the Moray Basin by Harvie-Brown and Buckley, published in 1895. They had a few records of not only white specimens but also grey and a form with “ pale yellow bellies.” Most records were from the Inverness area but there was one albino from Sutherland. It seems therefore that colour variations in the mole are a lot commoner than I for one had believed. RAY COLLIER (1)

Jeanette Pearson of the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery wrote to me on July 26th “ I have taken an image of the moles for you, they are from our early collections so the data on them is not as full as it might be. The accession number is INVMG 0001.761. Unfortunately I do not have details about findspot or date they were caught. The three moles came into the museum as a mount”.(2)

The accompanying photo(s) of the moles appear courtesy of Inverness Museum & Art Gallery.

According to `A History of the Earth and Animated Nature vol 3 1816: “ The mole is scarcely found, except in cultivated countries: the varieties are but few. That which is found in Virginia resembles the common mole,except in colour,which is black,mixed with a deep purple. There are sometimes white moles in Poland, rather larger than the former. As their skin is so very soft and beautiful, it is odd that it has not been turned to any advantage. Agricla tells us,that he saw hats made from it,the finest and the most beautiful that could be imagined. (3)

On `The Hunting Life Forum March 10th 2011 someone calling him/herself Moley wrote: ( UK but location unknown). “Over the years i have had quite a few odd coloured moles , about 6 albino,s, 1 brown ,probably about 12 silvers and quite a few with a white under fur and almost black tips, i have also had 2 ginger rats , i,ll have to sort some pics out “)

1. The Guardian January 29th 1987
2. E-mail from Jeanete Pearson to R.Muirhead July 26th 2011
3. O.Goldsmith and W.Turton A History of the Earth and Animated Nature 1816 p.195
4. The Hunting Life Forum March 10th 2011

HAUNTED SKIES: Another collection of odds and ends including an appeal to Sara Falkland of the BBC

http://hauntedskies.blogspot.com/2011/07/sara-falkland-of-bbc.html

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OLL LEWIS: Yesterday's News Today

Yesterday’s News Today
http://cryptozoologynews.blogspot.com/

On this day in 1907 Sir Robert Baden Powell founded the Scouting movement.
And now the news:

World's oldest ritual discovered
Kakapo to visit Wellington
Bigfoot's Bizarre Cousin Sighted in Michigan
Happy Ending To Tale Of Humpback Whale
Monster-gator killers face charges of illegal hunt...
Chupacabras in Texas?
Cat parasite linked to brain cancer
Baby giraffe walks for first time after special sh...
Ancestor of all birds knocked from its perch
Early humans, ritual cannibals: Study

It puts the lotion on its skin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWCAf-xLV2k

SAD NEWS: Hilary Evans (1929-2011)

http://www.cryptomundo.com/cryptozoo-news/evans-obit/

SAD NEWS: Rodney Legg dies

Mark North wrote to me yesterday:

Hi Jon,

Thought I would let you know that Local Author Rodney Legg passed away last friday.

http://darkdorset.blogspot.com/2011/07/news-clipping-dorset-campaigner-and.html

He appared only recently on the Channel Four show "Four Rooms' http://darkdorset.blogspot.com/2011/06/news-clipping-channel-4-show-four-rooms.html

Mark

Rodney Legg is quoted at length in my book The Rising of the Moon and The Owlman and Others. He will be sadly missed

FASCINATING LOOK AT SEA URCHIN BEHAVIOUR

How Dentures, UV Radiation, Covering Behavior and "Collector" Urchins ALL intersect this week!!!!

http://echinoblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-dentures-uv-radiation-covering.html

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

RICHARD F SENT THIS: Bulldog/Orang Utan interaction

MUIRHEAD`S MYSTERIES: ODD AQUATIC CREATURE IN LOCH ASSYNT,SCOTLAND, 1837-1839

The following article appeared in the Blackburn Standard of December 30th 1840 page 1:

STRANGE ANIMAL a recent meeting of the Zoological Society, the secretary read a communication made to Lord Francis Egerton, by one of the agents on the Duke of Sutherland`s estate, respecting an animal said to have been repeatedly seen in Loch Assynt. In the autumn of 1837, it was observed by two young men, Kenneth M`Leod and Donald M`Kay, who were fishing in the loch. It appeared close to the end of their fishing rods, and is described by them as having large eyes, and it opened its mouth so wide that “ they could see down its mouth so wide that “they could see down to its very heart”. The colour was grey, the hair like bristles, the tusks large, the ears hanging down like those of a sheep, the shape of the head altogether was like a bull dog, but broader. It was seen again soon afterwards on a small island, in the loch, and is described as about the size of a stirk (*) , but broader in the back, about three feet high, with four legs, like those of a pig, but stouter. The description given by other persons of it corresponded generally with the above. It was seen five times in three years – the last time in 1839.

* Stirk-heifer or bullock

HAUNTED SKIES: SOURCE MATERIAL - Hampshire 1995 (Part Five)

http://hauntedskies.blogspot.com/2011/07/source-material-hampshire-1995-part_27.html

OLL LEWIS: Yesterday's News Today

http://cryptozoologynews.blogspot.com/

On this day in 1948 Harold Arthur Monstermunch unleashed his new invention, which he named after himself, upon a war weary British nation. Because of post war rationing and the rather cumbersome name it didn't really take off at the time. However, in the 1960s with a stroke of marketing genius he replaced the words “Harold Arthur”with “roast beef” and it took the world by storm.
And now the news:

Mountain lion killed in Conn. traced to S. Dakota
First photograph of mysterious African purse-web s...
Discovered by chance, the secret Mexican crystal c...
Rogue kangaroo attacks 94-year-old Phyllis Johnson...
Giant worm does not warrant federal protection
Deadly Fungus Could Eat Up All The Bananas Before ...
Strange Animal Found in Juneau County
'Vegetarian piranha' hooked in Hudson

Now this is a SERIOUS fish:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfd5p1JqUsw

The latest on the Connecticut puma

On the excellent 'Frontiers of Zoology' newsgroup run by bloggo cornerstone Dale Drinnon, Matt Bille writes:

A puma killed in CT walked from SD. Fascinating. If it really did this, others have, or will. But why? Was it looking for a litter box? Following deer populations? Going to see the Broadway revival of "Cats?"

Link to story...

He has a point. The CFZ have been studying this case for some time, and our representative in the area Will deRocco has written an impressive report on the matter which is being published in the next edition of Animans & Men.

These results may well be true, but if so (and one has to remember that the initial findings of the authorities were completely different, and claimed that it was an escapee from captivity) why the secrecy? Why was our first request for tissue samples refused and our second ignored?

The timing is what concerns me. It is only a matter of months since the Eastern Puma was declared extinct, and ever since the puma in question came off badly in an incident involving an unnamed motor vehicle there have been suggestions that it was in fact an eastern puma, proving ionce and for all that the subspecies is not only not extinct but deserving of US Government funding.

The suggestions are that the regional authorities have made up an interesting, plausible and vaguely likely scenario to mask the true (and rather expensive) one. We at the CFZ find this hard to believe. A Government which lies to the people? Never.

We shall be asking, again, for some tissue samples so that we can verify the results. However, the authorities will have to prove that the samples indeed come from the Connecticut roadkilled specimen rather than from a bona fide South Dakota one, and I am not sure how they are going to do that!

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

AT NIGHT ALL CATS ARE GREY

Dear Jon,

It's time to don your anorak and help the Curtz with a fact or two. When does a kitten become referred to as a cub? For instance does a Scottish wild cat have cubs or kittens? What are a lynx offspring called? Do cubs start at puma or leopard?

Help!

Regards Davey C

BLAKE MATHYS: Creature Chronicles

Blake Writes: I have posted four new issues of Creature Chronicles newsletters to mywebsite. This means that numbers 2 - 7 and 11 - 14 are now available. Ifanyone has any other issues, please let me know and I will add them (hardcopy is fine...I'll scan and return them to you).

They are posted at:http://blakemathys.com/creaturechronicles.html

Mike Libby's clockwork creepy crawlies

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/howaboutthat/8655017/Insect-Lab-Mike-Libbys-clockwork-creepy-crawlies.html

ORIGINAL CIRCLEMAKER DESIGNS AUCTION in support of Sea Shepherd.

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?created&&note_id=223632054348734

ORIGINAL CIRCLEMAKER DESIGNS AUCTION in support of Sea Shepherd. Come meet circlemakers this weekend and you can view the designs of Ex-Circlemaker Matthew Williams and buy them. This may be a once in a lifetime event and all proceeds go to Sea Shepherd c...onservation organisation who are fighting to raise 1.4 million dollars to release their ship THE STEVE IRWIN to be able to stop the horrors of the Faero Island whale hunt known as "The Grind" where people hack Whales to death with knives on the beach. The Auction will take place at the Barge Inn, Honeystreet, Wiltshire on Saturday evening 7PM and we are hoping for a large crowd. Please spread the word. Anyone who needs any extra details email me@thematthewwilliams.com

Designs may be auctioned for hundreds of pounds down to as little as £1. Never before has such art been auctioned. Just remember how much Banksys work is worth now. This is for the Whales! Please pass on.See more
by: Matthew Williams

http://www.seashepherd.org/

HAUNTED SKIES: SOURCE MATERIAL: Hampshire 1995 (Part Four)

http://hauntedskies.blogspot.com/2011/07/source-material-hampshire-1995-part_26.html

OLL LEWIS: Yesterday's News Today

http://cryptozoologynews.blogspot.com/

On this day in 1949 Robert Rankin was born. All of Rankin's novels contain fortean themes, the best of which in my opinion is 'The Book of Ultimate Truths'.
And now the news:

Study to create the first archive of human evoluti...
Lions 'more likely to eat people after a full moon...
Calls for tighter rules on animal tests
Golden-handed monkeys stolen from Doncaster garden...
Jellyfish warning for beach-goers
Sea turtles nesting at record rate in Georgia
Lizard Smuggler Gets 15 Months Behind Bars After B...
300 want police dog that won't bite

There's a voice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFZKlfRrGbw

Monday, July 25, 2011

BADGERS: This came in the post

http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/2011/07/19/badgers-trial-shoots-to-go-ahead/

Today, the government announced it plans to go ahead with two trials of shooting badgers. This would be part of measures to reduce the spread of disease – bovine TB – between different herds of cattle. Badgers can carry the disease and as a result many farmers are keen to reduce their numbers as they think it’s essential for controlling the disease. Caroline Spelman, the Environment Secretary, says she is “strongly minded” to back the shooting of badgers.

Read on...

ANDREW MAY: Words from the Wild Frontier

From CFZ Australia:
Sumatran Tiger dies - for loo roll!
Mythical Horotiu threatens NZ transport project

From CFZ New Zealand:
Its been a long road.
Mythical monster puts NZ on notice

From CFZ Canada:
Giant Shark Sightings in the Bay of Fundy

SEA MONSTERS IN `ASIAN GEOGRAPHIC`

Interesting article on sea monsters by Matt Bille, with illustrations by Bill Rebsamen. Go to page 60...
Check it out...

THIS MAN DESERVES THE WORST PUNISHMENT

Alleged rhino horn syndicate member Dawie Groenewald reportedly purchased 36 rhinos during June and July 2009 – and last month, investigators discovered a mass grave of 20 rhinos on Groenewald’s property in Musina.

Read on...(The article also contains a photograph of an enormous leopard; as Karl Shuker says, the biggest he has ever seen)

ODDS AND SODS FROM CHAD ARMENT

Another hairless animal, possibly a raccoon:
http://www.channel3000.com/news/28627531/detail.html

A new species of rattlesnake is being announced at a conference in Tucson:
http://www.fox11az.com/news/local/Rattlesnake-conference-in-Tucson-126021604.html

Not biofortean, but interesting, some strange archaeology in Bavaria:
http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,775348,00.html

HAUNTED SKIES: UFO cuttings & Dr Mary Lewis & butterflies

http://hauntedskies.blogspot.com/2011/07/ufo-cuttings-dr-mary-lewis.html

OLL LEWIS: Yesterday's News Today

http://cryptozoologynews.blogspot.com/

On this day in 1951 the actor Kevin Spacey was born. Spacey has stared in several films that may be of interest to Forteans including 'Seven', 'The Usual Suspects' and 'American Beauty' and was awarded a CBE last year. He has also being a big fan of Doctor Who, had his name mentioned by those 'in the know' as a possible actor to play a future incarnation of the Doctor, but then so has Brian Blessed.
And now the news:

Australia planning wildlife corridors
The Origin of Malaria: The Hunt Continues
Paternity Testing Helps Fill in Family Tree for Pu...
Why Dolphins Wear Sponges
Pilot whales die after Highland beaching (via Dawn...
Hunting jellyfish threaten fish stocks
Sei whale spotted off Scotland
Illegal fishing – Theft and destruction

Sometimes the fish win:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MEKDttsqVM

CFZ CANADA: Giant Shark Sightings in the Bay of Fundy

http://cfz-canada.blogspot.com/2011/06/giant-shark-sightings-in-bay-of-fundy.html

Dale on the frontiers of anthropology

Two blogs up today with an overview of Graham Hancock's Underworld

http://frontiers-of-anthropology.blogspot.com/2011/07/sunken-foreunners-of-asias-ancient.html

And then some more reviews for two of the examples for sunken structures with amention of Andrew Collins's Gateway to Atlantis in the second example:

http://frontiers-of-anthropology.blogspot.com/2011/07/tale-of-two-sunken-cities..html

So basically working on the Atlantis theme again.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Growing concern for one of Devon’s rare birds

The RSPB has this week expressed concern over the population of rare Dartford warblers on the East Devon heaths.

Dartford warblers are only found on heathlands in the UK, and almost became extinct as a breeding bird here in 1960s. However, efforts over the past two decades to restore heathlands have seen the population recover. But a combination of two harsh winters and recent heathland wildfires has hit the birds hard in East Devon and there are fears for the bird’s future.

Toby Taylor, site manager for the RSPB in East Devon, said: “We’ve now had two very cold winters. Dartford warblers rely entirely on insects and spiders and in cold conditions where there’s little to eat they really struggle. And, on top of this they’ve suffered with wild fires right in the middle of the breeding season. This year on Aylesbeare we’ve only had three singing males when last year we had thirteen, and we’re receiving similar reports from other sites.”

Dartford warblers are very much on the edge of their global range in the West Country and conservationists are worried that should Devon experience another bad winter the birds might be lost as a breeding species in the county.

Toby Taylor: “The best we can do is continue to maintain the heathlands in pristine condition and keep our fingers crossed we don’t have another bad winter.”

The RSPB is also calling on people attending East Devon Heath Week, which starts on Sunday 24 July, to look out for the birds.

The RSPB’s Gemma Dunn, who’s helping organise events for the Heath Week, said: “We always get a great turn out for our heath events, and this year we’re really keen to encourage people to watch out for the birds. While we think we know where the remaining birds are there’s always a chance we’ve missed the odd one.”

East Devon Heath Week is organised by RSPB, Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust, Devon Wildlife Trust, East Devon District Council, Devon County Council and the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and runs from 24 July to 29 July at a variety of venues across the district.

Gemma Dunn: “Heath week is a great opportunity for us to engage with the local community and show why Heathlands are such special habitats for Wildlife. This fascinating landscape is great for rare and special birds, such as the Dartford Warbler and elusive Nightjar, and also provides wild and inspiring spaces for us humans too.

“Over the 6-day festival, Heath week aims to provide new and exciting ways to experience the Heath by getting up-close and personal with the resident wildlife. So, whether its pond dipping for mini beasts, rambling for reptiles or mountain biking to find Nightjars, we really do have something for everyone. Come along to our opening event, a family festival day at Woodbury castle on Sunday 24 July between 11am-3.30pm to find out more.”

For more details of heath week events and a downloadable programme of events visit http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/ourwork/b/southwest/archive/2011/06/13/east-devon-heath-week.aspx

MAX SENT THIS FANTASTIC PROJECT WITH WHICH WE SHALL CERTAINLY BE GETTING INVOLVED

Our conker trees are under attack by 'alien' invaders! Have you noticed whitish patches on the leaves of horse chestnut trees? By the middle of summer, the whitish patches die and turn brown. Sometimes whole trees turn brown, and it looks like autumn has come early. The damage is caused by a tiny 'alien' species of leaf-mining moth, which is invading the UK. For biologists an 'alien' is a species not naturally found in an area or habitat. The moth’s caterpillars eat the leaves from the inside. Infected trees are weakened and produce smaller conkers.

Read on...

LINDSAY SELBY: Nessie and Weather

It is interesting that Nessie has been seen twice this year as we have had a bad winter. I started correlating the weather reports for the region and sightings of the Loch Ness creature some time ago; a yet unfinished project. Weather records going back years can be found quite easily these days with the Internet and Met Office help. I discovered that whenever there had been a bad winter, the creature was seen more often the following spring and summer. Could it be it was looking for food as the bad weather had made food scarce? Or maybe it just wanted the warmth of the sunshine? An interesting question, I think. It may of course be simply that after a bad winter more people are out and about on fine days so see the creature more often. Too many variables, I am afraid, and it would take a lot to put the study together. If I have the time left to me I will get it finished and see what the results look like. Not world-shattering, I know, but interesting all the same.

NAOMI WEST: Puddle Monster IV - The Terror Revealed

Finally! I got a pic! I camped out by the puddle for a long time, camera ready. After several long minutes sweating in the Texas sun, I heard some sort of vocalization. I would have assumed it was a frog, except that I believe the sound came from the puddle monster. Sure enough, seconds later, a small, barely perceptible form emerged from the water, staying just at the surface. I snapped the camera, but when I went to move in closer, the creature submerged itself again. But I DID get the picture. I believe it to be the head of the creature. If you can't see in the first pic, I have circled it for you in the second pic.

HAUNTED SKIES: SOURCE MATERIAL- Hampshire 1995 (Part Three)

http://hauntedskies.blogspot.com/2011/07/source-material-hampshire-1995-part.html

OLL LEWIS: Yesterday's News Today

http://cryptozoologynews.blogspot.com/

On this day in 2009 Harry Patch died. Patch was the last surviving English veteran of World War 1 and at the time of his death was thought to be the third oldest man in the world at 111 years and 38 days old.

And now the news:

Little egrets breed in Hertfordshire for first tim...
Rare Black Mountain Moth spotted at new sites in S...
All Non-Africans Part Neanderthal, Genetics Confir...
Zoo owner moves into cage
Chessie (the manatee) returns to Chesapeake Bay (v...
Fossil 'is first pregnant lizard' (via Dawn Hollow...
'Alien' Monkey Causes Panic In Chinese Village

I love songs that tell a story, don't you?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_sfnQDr1-o

Saturday, July 23, 2011

NAOMI WEST: Puddle Monster 3 - The Nightmare Continues...

I wrote to Naomi last night, and asked whether there was any more news. She replied:

This creature is more elusive than I originally thought. I have tried all kinds of different ways to capture it on film, even just get a glimpse of it with the naked eye. I thought for sure I saw it sitting by the puddle yesterday, but when I reached the puddle, there was no trace of it. There was, however, dirt stirred up at the bottom of the puddle, which tells me it – or something – had recently leaped in. My dog Salem made a lunge for it, but I grabbed her just in time. No telling what could have happened.

One interesting thing I’ve noted is that there are never any bugs around the puddle, none whatsoever. I take it that the energy from this -- whatever it is – frightens them off.
I contacted a research team to conduct an investigation using sonar and underwater photography. They arrived this morning, but left after discovering their equipment was too large to fit in the valve box.

My brother, whom I haven’t even told about the monster, was walking past the valve box yesterday when he accidentally dropped some change into it. Before I could even get the door open to warn him, he reached into the valve box, fished the change out, and walked on. It was one of the most astonishing things I’ve ever seen. I asked him if he’d seen or felt anything in the water, and he said no. It makes me wonder if, perhaps, this creature can slip in and out of another dimension….

I tried soliciting the help of my next-door neighbour, thinking that since she has lived here so long she might have heard of the puddle monster. But when I mentioned it, she looked fearful, crossed herself, and shut the door in my face. So now I’m working on getting a 20-person expedition underway to investigate the valve box further. For now, the mystery remains.

I don't know why the ongoing saga of this elusive batrachian is so gripping. But it is....

ARCHIVING PROJECT: General Forteana Part 47

As you know, Oll has been working on the archiving project since early February 2009 and he is now working on a general mish-mash of a section known as `General Forteana`.

This 47th collection once again really is completely uncategoriseable stuff mostly from 1995, including shark attacks, the exhumation of Jesse James, books with peculiar titles, mystery virus, New Zealand wizards meet the queen, JFK and lots more. Good stuff.

HERE

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.2

NAOMI WEST: Cicada killer

This is a pic taken by my friend Dana of a "Cicada killer" hornet killing a Cicada. Dana saw the hornet attack the Cicada and managed to get a pic.

DAVEY C: IT COULD ONLY HAPPEN IN SEAHAM

Dear Jon,

Here is an unfortean but funny bit of nonsense for you that could only happen in Seaham I have entitled.....

Ebeneezer (Long Train Running, Road To Nowhere) Goode

In a bid to rid the railways of manned signal boxes, the rail bosses decided to build an underpass next to Seaham rail station so people can move freely without having to rely on the signal man to open and close the gates when a train passes by. So far, so good.

The tunnel was cut and almost completed when the engineers hit a snag. There was the small problem of a newsagents shop and an Ebeneezer Gospel Church in the way! For some reason, best known to themselves, the rail bosses neglected to buy the aforementioned buildings and now the digging has come to a standstill.

“This is costing us money” a spokesman for the rail company grumpily said. “and the building contractors may have to stand down until this is sorted!” Indeed.

The local rag the Sunderland Echo had this to say..

'THIS is the tunnel to nowhere – thanks to a stalemate between landowners and rail chiefs.Worshippers at Seaham’s Ebenezer Evangelical Church turned up to a Sunday service to find workers clearing its land to make way for the tunnel from Station Road to Harbour Walk, beneath the town’s railway line. A mix-up over the plot’s ownership was caused by a map produced by a third party, which stated the town council was the land owner. But the church, which is the true owner, has not sold the site to Network Rail, causing an impasse between the parties and a pathway which only leads to a dead end.Church bosses are said to be considering a second, higher offer for all of its land, while Seaham Town Council has turned down permission to take the route through its own neighbouring plot, which links to the old mineral line pathway.

Council members fear a repeat of issues caused at the new bridge crossing at the town’s Princess Road, which has left those with pushchairs, wheelchairs or mobility scooters facing a diversion.Clive Todd, who runs a newsagents next to the station, said: “I’m not against the tunnel, we’ve got to accept the fact we have to provide disabled access.“They cannot build a path at the end of the tunnel now – it comes out to nothing. It’s a right botch up.”

Richard Whiteman, one of the trustees of the church, which has stood on Harbour Walk since 1971, said: “We are in discussions with Network Rail about what they are going to do about it, but the fact is we own the land and we’ve got a solicitor on the case.“We have the opportunity to improve the look of this area as a gateway to the town.”

The issue has been taken up by Durham County Councillor Dan Myers, who said: “We want to make sure the general public get what’s best for the community.“This is going to last for 60 to 70 years and we need to get it right now.”'

A spokeswoman for Network Rail said the halt to works was costing it thousands of pounds and added: “Unfortunately, as yet, no arrangement with the church has been possible and as of this Friday, the contractor will be standing down until the situation can be resolved.”

I like Councillor Dan's quip that "we have to get it right now". Tee hee.

Regards

Davey C

REGAN LEE ON THE BLUE DOGS

I have an article up at Monster Tracker about yet another poor hairless and unusual creature killed because the shooter -- a 13 yr. old -- thought it might be "chupacabra."

Fear of the Unknown: Another Hairless Creature Killed

Interesting how the lore has changed, from the red eyed, spine backed, clawed, "alien looking" creature that could jump quite high and suck blood from goats, rabbits, chickens, etc. to a canine type animal with mange. Or, as I point out in the article, maybe these animals are hybrids, some new breed of something -- but the evolution of the lore surrounding chupie is interesting. As is the quickness to shoot and kill said unknown.

CFZ NEW ZEALAND: a peek behind the scenes with Tony Lucas

http://cfz-nz.blogspot.com/2011/07/its-been-long-road.html

Friday, July 22, 2011

ANDREW MAY: Words from the Wild Frontier

From Crypto Squad USA:
Serpents of the Sea

From Nick Redfern's "There's Something in the Woods...":
Ken Gerhard on Coast to Coast AM
The Werewolf Book - Sept 1
Creature-Features in Fate
Creature of the Month at New Page Books
Jennae on Multi-Dimensional Monsters
Naomi's Nessie...

From CFZ Australia:
Cryptozoology: Science or Pseudoscience?
Weird Weekend 2011 - Abominable snowmen et al
Zoo expecting influx of quoll and devil joeys
Jurassic park in a suburban Sydney garden
Meet Badger, the Quoll-tracking dog!
Bunyip's bandicoots an endangered species
Wild dog numbers explode in Queensland
New from CFZ Press: Mystery Animals of Gloucestershire...
Darren Naish talks Sea Monsters @ the Mail

From CFZ New Zealand:
Rare Takahe birds the focus of fundraising drive

DOUG SHOOP: Introducing 'Fuzzy'

About three weeks ago when I lost my great feline friend Nigel, I promised some video of the new second-in-command male felid of the house. Due to a technical and financial glitch, I’m absent a necessary cable to enableme to upload my video. So that being said, I’ve provided a couple still photos of Fuzzy instead.

By the way he’s named Fuzzy not because he is, but because he has a bad habit of eating up all the dust bunnys anywhere to be found around the house. He also recently began ‘talking’ rather more than normal.

My guess is that he’s finally realized his friend of nearly 11 years will not be coming home again.

Isn’t he a handsome boy?

NAOMI WEST: Puddle Monster 2 - The Mystery Continues

This morning while watching out the window, I thought I could make out a figure sitting by the puddle. There seemed to be a face with what appeared to be green stripes or some such design on it. I quickly opened the door to have a better look, and just as I did, the thing leaped back into the puddle. It happened so quickly, I was now questioning whether or not I'd seen anything to begin with. Yet, the water was obviously disturbed. I cautiously approached the puddle and peered as far into the water as I could.

At first I saw nothing. I concluded that the creature must be able to hide within the valve structure.

Sure enough, I eventually made out SOMETHING between the segments of the anti-siphon valve. I could swear I saw zig-zaggy designs on what looked like a spiny back! But the water gets murky that far down and I couldn't make out any designs beyond that.

I am thinking about a installing a live web cam so the puddle can be viewed at all times from anywhere in the world in hopes of capturing some footage of this elusive creature.

I'm starting to wonder just how extensive this irrigation system really is. There could be multiple segments going for several feet -- perhaps even extending into neighboring irrigation systems.

HAUNTED SKIES: An interesting collection of completely disparate stufff...

...including the new Mrs Pope, chalk circles, the aquisition of a new archive, and a UFO over Wigan.

http://hauntedskies.blogspot.com/2011/07/haunted-skies-blog.html

OLL LEWIS: Yesterday's News Today

http://cryptozoologynews.blogspot.com/

On this day in 1865 the Danish occultist Max Heindel was born (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Heindel ).
And now the news:

Python sex romp sparks search for 7m monster snake...
Loch Ness monster-like beast filmed in Alaska
Dangerous 10-Foot Megaweed Invades New York
Is there an alligator in this Ontario creek?
Duck Gets Fitted For Surf Booties
Leopard wounds 11 people in village
Not on the menu at Wegmans: rare yellow lobster

It wasn't a rock...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szhJzX0UgDM

NEW NESSIE SIGHTING?

A HOLIDAYMAKER who has been looking for the Loch Ness Monster for 45 years believes he may have at last captured the elusive creature on camera.

William Jobes was walking along the Abbey footpath in Fort Augustus with his wife Joan when he spotted what appeared to be a head bobbing above the water 200 to 300 yards from the shore.

"I got a wonderful shock," he said. "I have actually been coming up to Inverness for the past 45 years and I have never seen anything like this before."

Read on...

Thursday, July 21, 2011

White Squirrels in Cornwall (Thanks to Penny for this)

What a find this week by holiday makers taking pictures,and a real surprise when I received an e-mail from Tencreek Holiday Park in West Looe yesterday with a picture of their newly discovered white squirrels, what a rare find..

Read on...

BETH TYLER-KING: Just in case you thought the traffic was bad this morning...

NAOMI WEST: Beware the puddle monster

There appears to be something very strange going on in my backyard. This morning I awoke to find the valve box lid on our sprinkler system had come off and was lying beside the valve box. I figured some armadillo or something must have uprooted it, and I went to put it back on. As I neared the valve box, however, I found it full of water. That's unusual. Furthermore, it appeared to be bubbling, as if something living was inside. I cautiously bent down to peer into the water. All I could see, at first, were mosquito larva twisting and turning about. Then, at the very moment that I realized the face of a small creature had risen to the surface and was staring back at me, it darted back down again. I jumped with a scream. It all happened so quickly that I never did see what it was. It appeared to be maybe reptilian more than amphibian, but I can't be sure. The monster hasn't

surfaced since my one sighting.
Any ideas what this could be? A tiny eel? A baby sturgeon? Perhaps a miniature plesiosaur? I don't know, but I DO know it wasn't a duck or a log. I'm not exactly sure how deep our valve box is, but clearly it's deep enough to hide this creature. I'm not about to fish around in there until I know more about it. Richie is out of town. When he gets home, I'm going to solicit his help. Until then, there is definitely a puddle monster of some kind in my valve box. I've attached some pics of the puddle and of the lid lying beside it. I may never get a pic of the creature, but I took one of me by the puddle, to say I've been there. Sorry for the poor quality -- the camera just wasn't cooperating when I tried to take the pics.