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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, October 09, 2017

MUIRHEAD`S MYSTERIES: A species of dog in Tahiti lost to science around the time of Captain Cook

A week or so ago I bought a book from Oxfam, Macclesfield which had a short piece in it about a breed of dog in Tahiti which had died out shortly before Captain Cook arrived there. However the other day I found this image on Wikipedia. The book I bought , `The Golden Haze` by Roderick Cameron (Readers Union, 1964, pp 103 - 104 ) says this: " `Hogs` writes Forster, `are part of the riches of the Tahitians and would appear to be entirely the property of the chiefs. ` 

Pigs were never so plentiful in the islands as to be common food. Dogs, on the other hand,were. These were a special breed, kept solely for eating. The race has died out completely and no one knows what they looked like (emphasis my own. Then what about these Wikipedia images?) They were small and pretty, says Bougainville (this could refer to Louis Antoine de Bougainville a French navigator,explorer and military commander, 1729-1811 ) and , according to Forster, ( I do not know the identity of this person) very stupid; the most dull animals imaginable. They do not seem to have the least advantage in point of sagacity over our sheep, which are commonly made the emblems of silliness...It is odd, but no pictorial representation of these dogs exist.They varied a good deal in size, ranging from that of a lap-dog to a  large spaniel. Their heads were broad and their snouts pointed, the eyes were very small, ears upright and their rather long and wiry hair of different colours , mostly white or brown. `They seldom if ever barked but howled sometimes, and were shy of strangers to a degree of aversion." I found an interesting snippet in the Evening Tribune (San Diego) of  July 18th 1929 that Cook,in his description of Tahiti in 1769, mentions that the dogs of Tahiti were strict vegetarians.Cook visited Tahiti on many occasions, his visit in 1769 was the one where he observed the transition of the planet Venus.

THYLACINES IN THE NEWS




The profuse, descriptive detail so well presented in Col Bailey's excellent book Lure of the Thylacine has enabled me to conclude that the strange, ...

TODAY'S BIG CAT NEWS

The hunt for British Big Cats attracts far more newspaper-column inches than any other cryptozoological subject. 

There are so many of them now that we feel that they should be archived by us in some way, so we are publishing a regular round-up of the stories as they come in. 

The worldwide mystery cat phenomenon (or group of phenomena, if we are to be more accurate) is not JUST about cryptozoology. At its most basic level it is about the relationship between our species and various species of larger cat. That is why sometimes you will read stories here that appear to have nothing to do with cryptozoology but have everything to do with human/big cat interaction. As committed Forteans, we believe that until we understand the nature of these interactions, we have no hope of understanding the truth that we are seeking.

  • NEWSLINK: Big cat count rises to six in Palamau Ti...
  • VIDEO: Collection of Wild, Exotic Animals Found in...

  • NEWSLINK: Problem leopard, suspect behind 5 attack...
  • 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.





    BIGFOOT NEWS IN BRIEF



    On the hunt for the British Bigfoot
    Photographer Harry Rose spent two years trying to track down the legendary cryptid. Bigfoot is as American as hot dog eating contests, Elvis and the ...


    Is Bigfoot Killing Deer?
    LegendsBeware writes "Winter 2017, I return to the spot where (in 2015) I found a mutilated deer and an almost convincing large foot print."

    Is Bigfoot Killing Deer? Part 2
    Winter 2017, I return to the spot where (in 2015) I found a mutilated deer and an almost convincing large foot print. Spoiler alert: I do NOT find Bigfoot ...


    Colorado Hikers Surprised By Bigfoot-Like Creature Lurking In The Woods
    For many, the Colorado trails are an historic as well as excellent escape spot destination to see wildlife, beautiful landscapes and witness nature in it's ...

    Colorado Hikers Startled by 'Bigfoot'
    Hikers exploring a mountain trail in Colorado came upon a monstrous surprise in the form of an enormous Bigfoot cutout 'lurking' in the woods.
    World Bigfoot Radio: LBL to Grannies house
    Taylor returns to bring us up to date on his more recent Bigfoot experiences, and has heart attack and harassment from local lawmen, and how it is all ...

    Crypto-Kid October 9th

    Tonight on the Crypto-Kid, Colin Schneider will be joined by Dr. Brian Parsons. Dr. Parsons is the host of the Paranormal News Insider also on WCJV Radio. Colin and Dr. Parsons will discuss the state of cryptozoology today and how it can be improved. Also, if time allows, will delve into some recent information concerning mystery feline sightings in America. 

    This is going to be a top-notch episode. Make sure you don't miss out and listen live at 8 pm EST at www.wcjvradio.com/live and jump in the chatroom as well


    NESSIENEWS (Caveat Lector)



    Loch Ness monster spotted by stunned newly weds spot on their honeymoon
    Loch Ness monster spotted by stunned newly weds spot on their honeymoon – after spate of seven new sightings.

    THE GONZO BLOG DOO-DAH MAN IS SURPRISINGLY REFRESHED

    The Gonzo Daily: Monday/Tuesday
     
    And so another week begins, and it is a special week because - as Corinna is away from Wednesday - there is no magazine this week, and I am using this week as an excuse to tie up as many loose ends as I can. Today has gone quite well, so let's hope everything continues on course. In the meantime I am rediscovering Ivor Cutler, and getting it together slowly.
     
    Ta-ra
     
    Forgive me for banging on about our webTV show, but it matters a lot to me, and I would be grateful for an many people as possible to see it, and spread the tidings of it far and wide:
     
     
    But now, here is the news:
     
    THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: PINK FAIRIES Live 197...
    THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem
    RICK WAKEMAN NEWS
    YES feat. ARW IN THE NEWS
    LEONARD COHEN IN THE NEWS
     
    Gonzo Weekly #255-6
    THE FALL OF LOVE DOUBLE ISSUE
     
    Tony Palmer, remembers when he first met John Lennon and talks about his film The Beatles and WW2, John provides an epilogue to the Summer of Love plus 50 celebrations, Alan goes to the Southdowns Folk Festival and critiques The Stone Tapes, Richard visits The Girl from the North Country, and Jeremy goes to Soho Rising: The Muses Invade Manette Street with the Doctors of Madness and also goes to see the Flamin' Groovies (Look, I spelled it right this time).
     
    Wooooot!
     
    And there are radio shows from Mack Maloney, Strange Fruit, and Friday Night Progressive. We also have columns from all sorts of folk including Roy Weard, C J Stone, Mr Biffo, Neil Nixon and the irrepressible Corinna. There is also a collection of more news, reviews, views, interviews and common planigales who have cooked some stews (OK, nothing to do with small marsupials who have been culinarily creative, 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:
     
    David Bowie, Frank Zappa, Dweezil Zappa, Roger Waters, Bruce Springsteen, Wolf Alice, Florence Welch, Strange Fruit, Friday Night Progressive, Mack Maloney's Mystery Hour, Thomas Earl Petty, Azra Kolakovic, Allan Thomas "Tom" Paley, Ellis CeDell Davis, Robert "Apex" Dickeson, Mary Hopkin, Barbara Dickson, Ashton, Gardner and Dyke, Rachmaninoff, Benjamin Britten, Tony Palmer, The Beatles, Alan Dearling, The Stone Tapes, M. Peach, K. Beem, Grey Malkin, Jeremy Smith, Flamin' Groovies, Theatre Royal, Southdowns Folk Festival, Wriggle Jigglers, Edgelarks, Charcoal Burners, The Cheer Up Mollys, Megson, The Alistair Goodwin Band, Homeservice, Skerryvore, John Brodie-Good, Summer of Love, Steve Miller Band, Peter Frampton, David LaFlamme, Richard Foreman, Girl From the North Country, Bob Dylan, Doctors of Madness, Richard Strange, Lilybud, Jeremy Reed, Gingerlight, Kev Rowland, The Pilgrim, Rage, Rings of Saturn, Russkaja, Siiilk, Mr Biffo, Paul Rose, Roy Weard, Hawkwind, Xtul, Dr Alex Durig, Rick Parfitt, Elvis, Charles Manson, Dennis Wilson, The Beach Boys, Derek Taylor, Jimi Hendrix,  Neil Nixon, Karen Elson
     
     
    Issue 254 (Mr Biffo)
    Issue 253 (Dana Gillespie)
    Issue 252 (Cropredy)
    Issue 251 (Scott Walker)
    Issue 250 (Jamms)
    Issue 249 (Bill Bruford)
    Issue 248 (The Selecter)
    Issue 247 (Don Airey)
    Issue 246 (Steve Hackett)
    Issue 244-5 (Summer Special)
    Issue 243 (Galahad)
    Issue 242 (Steve Miller Band)
    Issue 241 (Carol Hodge and Steve Ignorant)
    Issue 240 (Midsummer Madness)
    Issue 239 (Miss Peach)
    Issue 238 (Hawkwind)
    Issue 237 (Hawkwind)
    Issue 236 (Manchester)
    Issue 235 (Jon Anderson)
    Issue 234 (Al Atkins)
    Issue 233 (Richard Strange)
    Issue 232 (Roy Weard)
    Issue 231 (Allan Holdsworth)
    Issue 230 (Curtis Womack)
    Issue 229 (Larry Wallis)
    Issue 228 (Space Pharoahs)
     
    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 58 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?

    NEWS FROM NOWHERE - Monday/Tuesday

    ON THIS DAY IN - 1940 - St. Paul's Cathedral in London was bombed by the Nazis. The dome was unharmed in the bombing. 
    And now some more recent news from the CFZ Newsdesk

  • Bats anticipate optimal weather conditions
  • Red admiral thrives in butterfly count while white...
  • Sixth mass extinction of wildlife also threatens g...
  • How did that get there? Plastic chunks on Arctic i...


  • AND TO WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK... (Music that may have some relevance to items also on this page, or may just reflect my mood on the day.