DALE DRINNON: Another Sumatran titbit from Richard Freeman

Dale analyses MORE new information brought back from Sumatra by Richard..

http://frontiersofzoology.blogspot.com/2011/10/sumatran-tidbit-from-richard-freeman.html

THE FIRST PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE CAST TAKEN IN SUMATRA

http://www.facebook.com/extreme.expeditions.net#!/media/set/?set=a.164675666950450.42545.111612465590104&type=1

The expedition concentrated its searches around Lake Kerinci and the “gardens” area in the lower elevation rainforest, both areas of previous sightings and secondary evidence. Whereas the “gardens” team returned with three partial footprints, the possible hand print was found in the jungle surrounding Lake Kerinci.

The print is to be sent for independent analysis but furthers the body of evidence for Orang Pendek. Unidentifiable hairs also found in the immediate vicinity are to undergo similar independent testing.

Upon completion, expedition leader Adam Davies stated “This was a really successful expedition. I am fortunate to have had such a determined and dedicated team and feel confident that the findings, once analysed, will help further verify the existence of Orang Pendek, whose habitat is under great ecological pressure.”

NEWSFLASH: Sumatra Expedition cast handprint

We have just heard from Richard Freeman:

Hi Jon,

Great news, we have a cast of the very first orang-pendek hand print ever recorded. Found by John Didmus, casted by Andy Sanderson. We all are getting copies. We also have hair found close by.

NEWSFLASH - First news from Sumatra

There is a little tantalising news on the expedition through the magic of Facebook. The Extreme Expeditions facebook page announces that 'Team all safe and sound, exciting news to be posted soon...' and Rebecca's FB announces that she 'asked for a mission, and for her sins they gave her one...the horror, the horror...' and does a little good-natured whingeing about noodles.

Adam writes: 'I am alive and well ish...and just out of the jungle. More updates on a great expedition. soon....'

So I would not be surprised if there was some news later today. In the meantime, however, you guys know as much as we do.

CFZ SUMATRA EXPEDITION: Is Orang Pendek a tool user?

CFZ SUMATRA EXPEDITION: What animals could be mistaken for orang pendek?

VARIOUS SNIPPETS OF NEWS FROM THE EXPEDITION

There have been several communiques from the two away teams. None of them are earth-shattering in their importance, but it does appear that everything is indeed going to plan.


Rebecca and Mike arrive in Sumatra

Andrew and Adam in Kuala Lumpur

E-mail from Richard

SUMATRA EXPEDITION: The Game is afoot

The latest CFZ expedition leaves for Sumatra today. As Rebecca says the teams from Australia and the UK will be meeting up in Sumatra in a matter of hours.

The thoughts and prayers of all of us are with you.

GLEN VAUDREY: Trail Cameras for Sumatra Part 9

Last week our very successful trail cam funding campaign came to an end and what a great success it has been.

Many thanks to all those people who donated we couldn’t have done it without you. Nor could we have done so well without a very generous discount from the good folk at Bushnell. Together they have enabled the CFZ to purchase four brand new trail cams for our upcoming expedition.

As you can see from the photo of Trevor the trail cam, he is glad to meet up with a couple of boys before they head off to the jungle.

However before the cameras head off to Sumatra with the aim of capturing the elusive orang pendek on film, they are out having a couple of days out in the British countryside being field tested. The results so far have been very promising.

It might not be a big cat but next doors feline who we shall call Blue, happily demonstrates the cameras in action.

GLEN VAUDREY: Trail Cameras for Sumatra Part 8

Sadly, today marks the end of the trail cam funding campaign for the expedition to Sumatra.

Many thanks to those who have so far donated; your contributions are very welcome and much appreciated. If you haven’t yet donated and you want to there is still a bit of time left; just about 11 hours so you will have to be quick.

Just to recap, to sponsor a trail cam will cost £100. If that seems a little steep why not get a group together? A group of five will pay just £20 each. Sponsors will get an update on any pictures and when something exciting is spotted your name will go up in lights alongside the photo.

Don’t despair: if you miss out on Trevor, he has plenty of friends who also need help in breaking free.

Your sponsorship will pay for the release and upkeep of Trevor and kin, but sadly you will have no rights to take him home.

Now doesn’t that sound like a good deal? Armchair cryptozoology at its best. All the fun of an expedition without being bitten by scary tropical insects.

If you like the sound of this then please get in touch, we would love to hear from you.

For further information you can contact me at glen@cfz.org.uk

Donations can be made via PayPal to Trailcams@CFZ.org.uk

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.2

GLEN VAUDREY: Trail Cameras for Sumatra Part 7

Like all good things this trail-cam funding campaign is coming to an end: the final day for donations will be 30 June 2011.

Many thanks to those who have so far donated; your contributions are very welcome and much appreciated. If you haven’t yet donated but want to there is still a bit of time left.

Just to recap: to sponsor a trail cam will cost £100. If that seems a little steep why not get a group together to sponsor one? A group of five will pay just £20 each. Sponsors will get an update on any pictures and when something exciting is spotted your name will go up in lights alongside the photo.

Don’t despair if you miss out on Trevor; he has plenty of friends who also need help in breaking free.

Your sponsorship will pay for the release and upkeep of Trevor and kin, but sadly you will have no rights to take him home.

Now doesn’t that sound like a good deal? Armchair cryptozoology at its best. All the fun of an expedition without being bitten by scary tropical insects.

If you like the sound of this then please get in touch; we would love to hear from you. For further information you can contact me at glen@cfz.org.uk

Donations can be made via PayPal to Trailcams@CFZ.org.uk

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.2

GLEN VAUDREY: Trail Cameras for Sumatra Part 6

Another advantage of the trail cam is that it is small enough to be well hidden; so well hidden that a passing animal may not even know it’s being spied upon. Once again Trevor will demonstrate this ability, cunningly hidden in the undergrowth he can take plenty of pictures of animals going about their lives, and who knows what surprising things he could spy.

Today it looks like he has found an orang pendek riding a bicycle; now you really wouldn't have expected that.

Many thanks to those who have so far donated. Your contributions are very welcome and much appreciated. Don’t despair if you haven’t yet donated, or if you wish to contact me about the trail cams, the campaign still has many more weeks to run.

Just to recap: to sponsor a trail cam will cost £100. If that seems a little steep why not get a group together to sponsor one of these trail cams; a group of five will pay just £20 each. Sponsors will get an update on any pictures and when something exciting is spotted your name will go up in lights alongside the photo.

Don’t despair if you miss out on Trevor; he has plenty of friends who also need help in breaking free.

Your sponsorship will pay for the release and upkeep of Trevor and kin, but sadly you will have no rights to take him home.

Now doesn’t that sound like a good deal? Armchair cryptozoology at its best. All the fun of an expedition without being bitten by scary tropical insects.

If you like the sound of this then please get in touch; we would love to hear from you.

For further information you can contact me at glen@cfz.org.uk

Donations can be made via PayPal to Trailcams@CFZ.org.uk

GLEN VAUDREY: Trail Cameras for Sumatra Part 5

Another advantage of the trail cam is that it is small enough to be well hidden, so well hidden that a passing animal may not even know it’s being spied upon. Once again Trevor will demonstrate this ability, cunningly hidden in the undergrowth he can take plenty of pictures of animals going about their lives, and who knows what surprising things he could spy.

Today it looks like he has found a Sumatran tiger taking a pig home for its tea; well you never would have expected that.

Many thanks to those who have so far donated, your contributions are very welcome and much appreciated. Don’t despair if you haven’t yet donated, or if you wish to contact me about the trail cams, the campaign still has many more weeks to run.

Just to recap, to sponsor a trail cam will cost £100. If that seems a little steep why not get a group together to sponsor one of these trail cams, a group of five will pay just £20 each. Sponsors will get an update on any pictures and when something exciting is spotted your name will go up in lights alongside the photo.

Don’t despair if you miss out on Trevor, he has plenty of friends who also need help in breaking free.

Your sponsorship will pay for the release and upkeep of Trevor and kin, but sadly you will have no rights to take him home.

Now doesn’t that sound like a good deal? Armchair cryptozoology at its best. All the fun of an expedition without being bitten by scary tropical insects.

If you like the sound of this then please get in touch, we would love to hear from you.

For further information you can contact me at glen@cfz.org.uk

Donations can be made via PayPal to Trailcams@CFZ.org.uk

GLEN VAUDREY: Trail Cameras for Sumatra Part 4

Another advantage of the trail cam is that it is small enough to be well hidden, so well hidden that a passing animal may not even know it’s being spied upon. Once again Trevor will demonstrate this ability, cunningly hidden in the undergrowth he can take plenty of pictures of animals going about their lives, and who knows what surprising things he could spy.

Today it looks like he has found a Yeti drinking tea from a cup; well you never would have expected that.

Many thanks to those who have so far donated, your contributions are very welcome and much appreciated. Don’t despair if you haven’t yet donated, or if you wish to contact me about the trail cams, the campaign still has many more weeks to run.

Just to recap, to sponsor a trail cam will cost £100. If that seems a little steep why not get a group together to sponsor one of these trail cams, a group of five will pay just £20 each. Sponsors will get an update on any pictures and when something exciting is spotted your name will go up in lights alongside the photo.

Don’t despair if you miss out on Trevor, he has plenty of friends who also need help in breaking free.

Your sponsorship will pay for the release and upkeep of Trevor and kin, but sadly you will have no rights to take him home.

Now doesn’t that sound like a good deal? Armchair cryptozoology at its best. All the fun of an expedition without being bitten by scary tropical insects.

If you like the sound of this then please get in touch, we would love to hear from you.

For further information you can contact me at glen@cfz.org.uk or tel 0161 777 6586.

Donations can be made via PayPal to Trailcams@CFZ.org.uk

GLEN VAUDREY: Trail Cameras for Sumatra Part 3

I thought it was time to demonstrate some of the advantages of trail cams, and we shall use our ever willing mascot Trevor to help make the point.

As you can see from today's picture a trail cam is tireless, it doesn’t need to break off to eat and drink and as long as its batteries are charged it will keep going; unlike our poor Lego cryptozoologist, still clutching his camera, who certainly looks the worse through lack of sustenance.

Many thanks to those who have so far donated, your contributions are very welcome and much appreciated. Don’t despair if you haven’t yet donated, or if you wish to contact me about the trail cams, the campaign still has many more weeks to run.

Just to recap, to sponsor a trail cam will cost £100. If that seems a little steep why not get a group together to sponsor one of these trail cams, a group of five will pay just £20 each. Sponsors will get an update on any pictures and when something exciting is spotted your name will go up in lights alongside the photo.

Don’t despair if you miss out on Trevor, he has plenty of friends who also need help in breaking free.

Your sponsorship will pay for the release and upkeep of Trevor and kin, but sadly you will have no rights to take him home.

Now doesn’t that sound like a good deal? Armchair cryptozoology at its best. All the fun of an expedition without being bitten by scary tropical insects.

If you like the sound of this then please get in touch, we would love to hear from you.

For further information you can contact me at glen@cfz.org.uk or tel 0161 777 6586.

Donations can be made via PayPal to Trailcams@CFZ.org.uk

GLEN VAUDREY: Trail Cameras for Sumatra Part 2

Many of you asked to see more of the CFZ fund raising mascot, Trevor the Trail Cam, and as you can see from the picture he has escaped his prison; as if a few cocktail sticks and cardboard were ever going to hold him back.

It’s less than two weeks since the launch of the CFZ Trail Cam funding campaign and I have to say the response has been very promising. Many thanks to those who have so far donated; your contributions are very welcome and much appreciated. I would like also to thank all those who have contacted me regarding the trail cam plans; again many thanks for your interest. Don’t despair if you haven’t yet donated, or if you wish to contact me about the trail cams; the campaign still has many more weeks to run.

Just to recap: to sponsor a trail cam will cost £100. If that seems a little steep why not get a group together to sponsor one of these trail cams? A group of five will pay just £20 each. Sponsors will get an update on any pictures and when something exciting is spotted your name will go up in lights alongside the photo.

Don’t despair if you miss out on Trevor, he has plenty of friends who also need help in breaking free.

Your sponsorship will pay for the release and upkeep of Trevor and kin, but sadly you will have no rights to take him home.

Now doesn’t that sound like a good deal? Armchair cryptozoology at its best. All the fun of an expedition without being bitten by scary tropical insects.

If you like the sound of this then please get in touch; we would love to hear from you.

For further information you can contact me at glen@cfz.org.uk or tel 0161 777 6586.

Donations can be made via PayPal to Trailcams@CFZ.org.uk

GLEN VAUDREY: Trail Cameras for Sumatra

I am proud to announce that I will be heading up the drive to bring the CFZ kicking and screaming into the photographic age. It has long been established that photographic evidence is one of the many ways that proof of the existence of a cryptid can be confirmed. Whilst the CFZ has had an impressive record at recovering hair samples, there has, until now, been a lack of photographic evidence. It soon became apparent that the quest to discover mystery animals would be aided with trail cams.

A trail cam is a remote camera that records images as either still photographs or as video and is designed to record animals in the great outdoors. In recent years such cameras have produced many images of endangered animals around the world.

This year will see the CFZ return to the jungles of Sumatra looking for the Orang-Pendek. It is planned to equip the team with a number of trail cams to attempt to capture an image of this mystery animal.

Unfortunately trail cams don’t come cheap and without wanting to sound vulgar by talking money, we are looking at a price of £100 per camera. I am co-ordinating the appeal for funds to purchase a number of cameras for the CFZ to use.

Without further ado, let me introduce you to the CFZ trail cam fundraising mascot: Trevor.

Trevor is a lonely trail cam and as you can see he is languishing in Trail Cam hell, the warehouse. Like all of his kind he wants to be out in the wild and is looking for a sponsor to help in his quest for freedom and action.

To release and sponsor Trevor will cost £100. If that seems a little steep, why not get a group together to sponsor one of these trail cams? A group of five will pay just £20 each. Sponsors will get an update on any pictures and when something exciting is spotted your name will go up in lights alongside the photo.

Don’t despair if you miss out on Trevor, he has plenty of friends who also need help in breaking free.

Your sponsorship will pay for the release and upkeep of Trevor and kin, but sadly you will have no rights to take him home.

Now doesn’t that sound like a good deal? Armchair cryptozoology at its best. All the fun of an expedition without being bitten by scary tropical insects.

If you like the sound of this then please get in touch, we would love to hear from you.

For further information you can contact me at glen@cfz.org.uk or tel 0161 777 6586.

Donations can be made via PayPal to Trailcams@CFZ.org.uk

ADAM DAVIES LAUNCHES THE 2011 CFZ EXPEDITION TO SUMATRA

Sumatra, and the Orang-Pendek in particular, hold a special affection for me. Since I first visited this beautiful country, with its dense virgin rainforest and proud tribal people, I have always been fascinated by the orang-pendek, the `short man` of the forests. I have no doubt the orang-pendek exists. Over the years I have interviewed many witnesses who have seen this creature.

In 2009 the CFZ expedition was fortunate to have an eyewitness ourselves in Dave Archer, and Sahar Didmus saw one pinned against a tree, before it scurried away from us into the jungle. The experience so moved Sahar that he burst into tears! Importantly, there has been a considerable body of scientific evidence that has been gathered to support the existence of the orang-pendek. For example, previous expeditions I have led in 2001 and 2004 brought back both prints and hair samples.

These were analysed by various international experts, including Drs Chivers, Meldrum and Brunner, who all came to the conclusion that they were from an `unknown primate`. Most readers of this piece will recall the success we had in 2009, when the hair samples we brought back were analysed by Lars Thomas, who again came to the conclusion that they were from an `unknown primate`.

Thus, because of the body of evidence gathered, the discussion has moved away from whether the orang-pendek exists, to what it actually is. This is what the Sumatra expedition this year seeks to achieve: a further refining of that process, hopefully with greater determinative evidence so that we can pin down the creature once and for all!! The team, as it stands, will comprise the following members: Dr Chris Clark, Richard Freeman, Dave Archer, Jon McGowan, Lisa Dowley, Andrew Sanderson, and Rebecca and Mike from CFZ Australia. I will again be leading the overall expedition team.

However, with a bigger group we will have the luxury of covering a wider area so the plan is, at present, to cover two locations. I will take one team to the Lake at Gunung Tujuh, whilst the other team, which will concentrate on the edges of the farmlands and villages, will be led by Dr Chris Clark.

Chris's team in particular will focus on the areas where there has been a concentration of orang-pendek activity in recent years. That way we get to maximise our chances, of both gathering evidence, and actually seeing it! We are aware it is always a long shot with these expeditions. More often than not, nothing is found, but our previous success must offer some encouragement. Please wish us luck in our endeavours.

This will be the sixth time that I have been to Sumatra, looking for evidence of the orang-pendek. In that time, I have been struck by the continuing pace of logging and the general deforestation, despite the efforts of the guides and rangers who accompany us. Leaving it alone just isn't an option - be in no doubt that time is running out for the orang-pendek and the area it inhabits. Our work may; just may encourage the habitat to be preserved. That has to be our ultimate objective. We hope to do some good as we continue our work. So, its once more off into the jungle with stout hearts and loose bowels!

Adam Davies

CFZ Expedition Leader

Sumatra 2011.

HAIR SAMPLE UPDATE FROM LARS THOMAS

I have now analysed one of the hair samples I received by mail some days ago, and unfortunately Dale Drinnon was right: the hairs in the bag shown on the right of the picture - the rather dark and coarse ones - are indeed from an orangutan. The hairs in the other bag may be an entirely different kettle of fish or primate or something; I have only had one look, and the hairs did not immediately scream "orangutan." But we shall see when I have had a chance to take a closer look.

As for the o.p. hairs formerly discussed in great detail on this blog; I now have the results from one orang expert who has taken a look. This guy, who has been taking care of orangs in one of the biggest zoos in Denmark for almost 30 years, has taken a look at the pictures of the hairs and my drawings:

"In the years I have taken care of orangutans, I have never studied their hairs, so my opinion would probably not be worth much, but for what its worth, I had our vet help me pull some hairs from one of our animals - she didn't like that one bit - and we both had a look through a microscope the way you suggested. As far as we can see, the hairs do not match."

Lars

`THE HIGHLAND TIGER` COMMENTS ON THE LATEST DISCUSSIONS RE. THE HAIR SAMPLES FROM SUMATRA

On Thursday I received a message from the person calling themselves `The Highland Tiger`. He wrote hoping that we took his comments on this occasion "as a genuine observation". In that spirit, therefore, I reproduce what he had to say:

"From what I can gather from the conclusions made by both Lars and Richard Freeman, it appears that the DNA results of being close to human are being ignored, largely in favour of the hair analysis. I find this very worrying as it appears on the surface to be a case of trying to fit the evidence to the theory.

Hair analysis is very subjective process and is literally in the eye of the beholder. Different experts may come to different conclusions in investigating hair samples. DNA results are less subjective.

The reason the DNA samples claim to be almost human is more than likely through contamination. Yes I know the researchers claim they did not touch the hairs, but to be honest it is hard enough to prevent contamination in a laboratory, let alone obtaining clean samples in the field, is hard and I don't blame the field team for this.

I understand Karl Shuker has given an example of the king cheetah to explain a possibilty of both DNA and hair analysis being correct. However, this is only one case and we can in no way extrapolate this example in order to fit the evidence to the theory again, as Richard seems to have done.

I am actually in agreement with Dr Dan Holdsworth in that I feel the DNA results have probably been compromised by contamination.

The hairs are interesting in that I have no problem in accepting them as orangutan hairs, (and as such in finding a new population of orangs you have had a success)

Now this find is more exciting to the wider zoological world. Are you intending to contact orangutan researchers, and allow them to look at the hairs themselves. To find and confirm a new orangutan population is very important on a wordwide conservation scale, and needs to be released to mainstream zoological research and not kept in the restricted confines of cryptozoological research".

The most important thing about these DNA results are that whatever the hairs are, they are NOT from an orang utan. I would like to stress this. If there had been evidence suggesting that there was at least one orang utan living in that stretch of jungle, we would of course have made the hairs available to the relevant authorities. If there is any chance that there is a hitherto unsuspected population of these increasingly beleagured great apes then it is our sacred duty to do what we can to save them, and the discovery of a new population would be immensely important.

But the hairs, whatever they are from, are NOT from an orang utan.

However, we are not claiming that they are from an orang pendek either. Neither Richard nor Lars is ignoring the startlingly human-like DNA, and yes, the possibility of contamination is something that is always a possibility.

But as Lars writes, the results are inconclusive, although as a zoologist with many years experience, the hairs, together with all the anecdotal evidence that has been collected, Dave Archer and Sahar Didmus's eyewitness testimonies, and the various hair samples and footprints secured over the years have convinced him that there is an unknown species of higher primate living in Sumatra.

But no. Both Richard and I agree with Lars and HT that the DNA evidence - though interesting - is far from being conclusive, which is why we intend to go back to Sumatra with more equipment and more manpower to continue the hunt.