WELCOME TO THE CFZ BLOG NETWORK: COME AND JOIN THE FUN

Half a century ago, Belgian Zoologist Bernard Heuvelmans first codified cryptozoology in his book On the Track of Unknown Animals.

The Centre for Fortean Zoology (CFZ) are still on the track, and have been since 1992. But as if chasing unknown animals wasn't enough, we are involved in education, conservation, and good old-fashioned natural history! We already have three journals, the largest cryptozoological publishing house in the world, CFZtv, and the largest cryptozoological conference in the English-speaking world, but in January 2009 someone suggested that we started a daily online magazine! The CFZ bloggo is a collaborative effort by a coalition of members, friends, and supporters of the CFZ, and covers all the subjects with which we deal, with a smattering of music, high strangeness and surreal humour to make up the mix.

It is edited by CFZ Director Jon Downes, and subbed by the lovely Lizzy Bitakara'mire (formerly Clancy), scourge of improper syntax. The daily newsblog is edited by Corinna Downes, head administratrix of the CFZ, and the indexing is done by Lee Canty and Kathy Imbriani. There is regular news from the CFZ Mystery Cat study group, and regular fortean bird news from 'The Watcher of the Skies'. Regular bloggers include Dr Karl Shuker, Dale Drinnon, Richard Muirhead and Richard Freeman.The CFZ bloggo is updated daily, and there's nothing quite like it anywhere else. Come and join us...

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Unlike some of our competitors we are not going to try and blackmail you into donating by saying that we won't continue if you don't. That would just be vulgar, but our lives, and those of the animals which we look after, would be a damn sight easier if we receive more donations to our fighting fund. Donate via Paypal today...




Monday, February 11, 2019

THYLACINES IN THE NEWS




Revered as the trapping hut of legendary fur trapper Elias Churchill, its intrinsic link with the last thylacine to be caught in the wild assured its standing ...

MUIRHEAD`S MYSTERIES: A hitherto unknown cryptid in New Guinea?

Hi y`all.

I recently bought an interesting book called `Jungle Pimpernel` by Lloyd Rhys about the experiences of Jean Victor de Bruijn, a Dutch Captain in Papua New Guinea during World War 2. In it is a fascinating account of canoes that disappeared on a certain lake and what the locals described a a "ghost" but my interpretation is that it was some kind of aquatic cryptid, which was compared by the author to a mermaid. Here is the relevant passage, on pages 51 - 52:

"...but the evil spirit they fear the most is the Mado ,who,like the mermaid,is said to have the habit of luring mortals to a watery grave. The Mado ,or the water ghost,always lives in still water,and has often been said to appear in Lake Paniai, where there are,of course,no currents. Often,somewhere in the woods, you will find still and silent pools,and these are places to be avoided,for there,surely,will be the Mado...one of the long haired creatures will drag you down to the depths of its home..." 

BIGFOOT NEWS IN BRIEF



Horrifying Bigfoot Sightings
From the Darkness Prevails channel on youtube comes a collection of horrifying bigfoot encounter stories. Enjoy, but leave the lights on.

Historic 1957 Bigfoot Letter
This letter written to John Green is in reference to the sworn affidavit signed by William Roe after giving testimony of his bigfoot sighting.


HASTINGS — Bigfoot, Skunk Ape, Yeti, Abominable Snowman, Sasquatch. We all know the mythical creature when we hear the name. Florida has no ...


In fact, it's the fifth Squatchiest state in the U.S. That's according to records compiled by Charlie Raymond who founded the Kentucky Bigfoot Research ...

I Took a Road Trip Through Oregon's Breathtaking National Forests With Bigfoot Hunters and This ...
I'm here anxiously awaiting a rendezvous with a pair of Bigfoot trackers from the Bigfoot Research Organization (BFRO): Cindy Caddell and Russ ...


I'm here anxiously awaiting a rendezvous with a pair of Bigfoot trackers from the Bigfoot Research Organization (BFRO): Cindy Caddell and Russ ...

Couple having sex outdoors in Bigfoot costumes gets accidentally shot by hunters
An Ohio couple's attempts to spice up their sex life with some kinky roleplay turned horribly wrong last night, as they were both shot by hunters while ...


Crowds packed into the Susquehanna Brewing Company as Pennsylvania Bigfoot Investigators walked through some evidence that Sasquatch may ...

JENKINS TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Do you believe in bigfoot? Plenty of people in our area do. They got together in Luzerne County on Sunday to share ...

FORTEAN BIRD NEWS FROM THE WATCHER OF THE SKIES

What has Corinna's column of Fortean bird news got to do with cryptozoology? 

Well, everything, actually! 

In an article for the first edition of Cryptozoology Bernard Heuvelmans wrote that cryptozoology is the study of 'unexpected animals' and following on from that perfectly reasonable assertion, it seems to us that whereas the study of out-of-place birds may not have the glamour of the hunt for bigfoot or lake monsters, it is still a perfectly valid area for the Fortean zoologist to be interested in.



AND SO IT BEGINS FOR THE GONZO BLOG DOO-DAH MAN

The Gonzo Daily: Monday/Tuesday
 
YER EDITOR SEZ:
 
I have spent much of the weekend reading Graham Nash's autobiography, which has been on my "to read" list for the last six years. He - remarkably - seems the only sane member of CSNY, and - even weirder - the only person who does not describe David Crosby as a complete arse. While doing so I have been checking out his early solo stuff, and the Crosby and Nash albums for the first time in decades, and I was happy that the results were so impressive. So much of the time, when you go back to revisit something you have not heard for years, one is terribly disappointed.
 
Corinna returns to hospital tomorrow for a scan. She is still not right, but has been on some pretty heavy duty meds since late last year, and although she is still in intermittent discomfort, the pain is now being pretty well managed. We go back to the hospital at the end of February for the results of the aforementioned tests and will play it by ear until then. We would both like to thank the people all around the world who have sent us their good wishes, and included her in your prayers. 
 
THE DIGITAL PRAYER FLAG
 
A prayer flag (Lung ta) is a colourful rectangular cloth, often found strung along mountain ridges and peaks high in the Himalayas. They are used to bless the surrounding countryside and for other purposes. Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. The flags do not carry prayers to gods, which is a common misconception; rather, the Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread the good will and compassion into all pervading space. Therefore, prayer flags are thought to bring benefit to all. By hanging flags in high places the Lung ta will carry the blessings depicted on the flags to all beings. As wind passes over the surface of the flags, which are sensitive to the slightest movement of the wind, the air is purified and sanctified by the mantras.
 
I believe something similar happens with positive vibes transmitted electronically. And so, please forgive me when I write about Corinna's health problems every day, but I am convinced that these electronic Lung ta and the resulting torrent of good vibes that has been the major contributory factor to the aetiology of her illness so far.
 
Blessed be.
 
ALL TODAY'S GONZO NEWS WOT'S FIT TO PRINT:
 
THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: Al Atkins - Victim Of ...
The Gardening Club The Riddle Canadian review
UK Music Legends Strawbs 50th Anniversary 3 Days C...
THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem
JON ANDERSON IN CONVERSATION
 
For those of you who are interested in such things, the Gonzo Privacy Policy is here:
 
 
And the CFZ Privacy Policy is here:
And, yes,
 
CHECK OUT THE GONZO STORES:
 
UK
US
 
AND OTHER STUFF FEATURING VARIOUS GONZO CONTRIBUTORS:
 
Our webTV show:
 
And if you fancy supporting it on Patreon:
 
And by the way chaps and chappesses, a trip to the Jon Downes megastore may seem to be in order:
 
Meanwhile I continue to pretend that I am a popstar, because now I have sold eight whole copies of my new album Coldharbour. If I continue at this rate I will get a silver disc sometime at the beginning of the next millenium. Coldharbour, by the way, can be found here: https://jondownes1.bandcamp.com/releases
 
I think it is really rather good, but then again I would say that wouldn't I?
 
I do have good news to impart: Lars Thomas' book about the mystery land animals of Scandinavia and the Baltic States has been uploaded, and over at Gonzo the first volume of Kev Rowland's The Progressive Underground is also imminent. And at Fortean Fiction, my latest novel - 'Zen and Xenophobia' - vaguely a sequel to 2015's 'The Song of Panne' - is now available.
 
 
! would warn you that if you are of a nervous disposition, or easily offended, you will find parts of my novel both offensive and upsetting. There is sex, violence, drug abuse, occultism, pornography, firearms, politics, religion, and not a little sociology. But there is also love, kindness, faith, and redemption. And it's a cracking good yarn. Or I think so, at any rate. All I would say on the subject before bidding you farewell is Caveat Lector. And I'm not gonna explain what that means, because because if you don't know what that means then you probably shouldn't be reading the book in the first place.
 
AND THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GONZO MAGAZINE:
 
Gonzo Weekly #323/4
THE WHAT HAVE WE GOT HERE? ISSUE
 
In this unscheduled, but very welcome issue of yer favourite magazine, the legendary Irvine Welsh visits Todmorden as told
by his landlady, Jon insults a radio show host, watches A Series of Unfortunate Events and remembers touring with Steve Harley, Graham brings us up to date with the world of Hawkwind, Alan introduces us to Skinny Living and Neil recounts the weirdest George Harrison conspiracy theory.
 
Hail Eris!
 
And there are radio shows from Mack Maloney, Friday Night Progressive, AND Canterbury Sans Frontieres BUT Strange Fruit is on jiatus due to technical issues AND there are columns from Kev Rowland, and C J Stone, Roy Weard and Mr Biffo BUT Neil Nixon, and the irrepressible Corinna are on hiatus.  There is also a collection of more news, reviews, views, interviews and rock wallabies who've blown a fuse (OK, nothing to do with the relatively small macropods who are having electrical problems, but I got carried away with things that rhymed with OOOOS) than you can shake a stick at. And the best part is IT's ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!
 
This issue features:
 
A Series of Unfortunate Events, Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket), Stella McCartney, The Beatles, ABBA, In Continuum, Elton John, Jimmy Page, The Specials, Roger Waters, Steve Harley, Richard Freeman, Friday Night Progressive, Canterbury sans Frontieres, Mack Maloney's Mystery Hour, Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul, Tara Emily Simmons, Marcel Azzola, Maxine Brown, Ulises Butron, Edwards McKenna, Marcelo Yuka (stage Name Marcelo Sources), Windsor Davies, Reggie Grimes Young Jr, Teresa Ryan (aka Lorna Doom), Christopher John Wilson, Debi Martini, Oliver  "Tuku" Mtukudzi, The Fall, Tony Palmer, The Chad Mitchell Trio, The Deviants ixvi, Mick Farren, Alan Dearling, Irvine Welsh, Giggy, Waka, Phil Bayliss, Neil Nixon, Skinny Living, Tash Bird, Kev Rowland, Dreamfire, Dokken, Bullet, Caliban, Crematory, Blodwyn Pig, Corinna Downes, Mr Biffo, Roy Weard, CJ Stone, Hawkwind, Jon Downes, The Coldharbour Diaries, The Wild Colonial Boy, Martin Springett,Thom the World Poet
 
And the last few issues are:
 
Issue 323-24 (Irvine Welsh)
Issue 321-22 (Discordianism)
Issue 319-20 (Brix Smith)
Issue 317-18 (Christmas)
Issue 315-16 (Steve Miller)
Issue 313-14 (Hawkwind)
Issue 311-12 (Extinction Rebellion)
Issue 309-10 (Steve Hillage)
Issue 307-8 (Michael Moorcock)
Issue 305-6 (Maartin Allcock)
Issue 303-4 (kOZFEST)
Issue 301-2 (Ringo Starr)
Issue 299-300 (Aretha Franklin)
Issue 298 (Alan in Hungary)
Issue 297 (Shir Ordo)
Issue 295-6 (Robert Berry)
Issue 294 (Bow Wow Wow)
Issue 293 (Stonehenge)
Issue 292 (Rolling Stones)
Issue 291 (Alien Weaponry)
Issue 290 (Frank Zappa)
Issue 289 (Misty in Roots)
Issue 288 (Paula Frazer)
Issue 287 (Boss Goodman)
Issue 286 (Monty Python)
Issue 285 (ELP)
Issue 284 (Strangelove)
Issue 283 (Record Store Day)
Issue 282 (Neil Finn and Fleetwood Mac)
Issue 281 (Carl Palmer)
Issue 280 (Steve Andrews)
 
All issues from #70 can be downloaded at www.gonzoweekly.com if you prefer. If you have problems downloading, just email me and I will add you to the Gonzo Weekly dropbox. The first 69 issues are archived there as well. Information is power chaps, we have to share it!
 
You can download the magazine in pdf form HERE:
 
SPECIAL NOTICE: If you, too, want to unleash the power of your inner rock journalist, and want to join a rapidly growing band of likewise minded weirdos please email me at jon@eclipse.co.uk The more the merrier really.
 
 
* The Gonzo Daily is a two way process. If you have any news or want to write for us, please contact me at jon@eclipse.co.uk. If you are an artist and want to showcase your work, or even just say hello please write to me at gonzo@cfz.org.uk. Please copy, paste and spread the word about this magazine as widely as possible. We need people to read us in order to grow, and as soon as it is viable we shall be invading more traditional magaziney areas. Join in the fun, spread the word, and maybe if we all chant loud enough we CAN stop it raining. See you tomorrow...
 
* The Gonzo Daily is - as the name implies - a daily online magazine (mostly) about artists connected to the Gonzo Multimedia group of companies. But it also has other stuff as and when the editor feels like it. The same team also do a weekly newsletter called - imaginatively - The Gonzo Weekly. Find out about it at this link: www.gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.co.uk
 
* We should probably mention here, that some of our posts are links to things we have found on the internet that we think are of interest. We are not responsible for spelling or factual errors in other people's websites. Honest guv!
 
* Jon Downes, the Editor of all these ventures (and several others) is an old hippy of 59 who - together with a Jack Russell called Archie, an infantile orange cat named after a song by Frank Zappa, and two half grown kittens, one totally coincidentally named after one of the Manson Family, purely because she squeaks, puts it all together from a converted potato shed in a tumbledown cottage deep in rural Devon which he shares with various fish. He is ably assisted by his lovely wife Corinna, his bulldog/boxer Prudence, his elderly mother-in-law, and a motley collection of social malcontents. Plus.. did we mention Archie and the Cats?