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, November 19, 2018

BIG CAT ROUND UP

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.


  • SIGHTING, UK: Security guard spots big cat while o...
  • NEWSLINK: 1 mountain lion remains missing followin...
  • SIGHTING, UK: Big cat 'as big as a Labrador' spott...


  • PHOTO: Lion Sneaks Into Farmer's Home, Relaxes On ...
  • BIGFOOT NEWS IN BRIEF




    JEFFERSON — Hidden beneath the trees some say, lies a mystery. You say the word Bigfoot to most and you'll probably get a laugh and maybe even ...

    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.







    THE GONZO BLOG DOO-DAH MAN STILL PRAYS

    The Gonzo Daily: Monday/Tuesday
     
    YER EDITOR SEZ:
     
    I am heartily ashamed of the BBC at the moment. And it is nothing to do with the current incumbent of Doctor Who being a woman. I actually think that not only is Jody Whatsherface a fine Doctor, but that the right on quotient is lower than it has been at times in the past. The way that Russell T Whatsit used to make sure everyone knew he was Welsh, Gay and an Atheist at the slightest opportunity (and no, I have no problem with any of those subsets of humanity, but the disingenuous way that these three things were continually thrust down the viewer's throat did truly get my goat). No it is not that.
     
    At the weekend a total of 82 people were arrested during a so-called "rebellion day" which saw five major London bridges blocked by activists, police have said. Thousands of demonstrators occupied the bridges for most of Saturday as part of demands for the government to take greater action on climate change. It followed a week of action by campaign group Extinction Rebellion.
     
    The BBC News website did, for once, give the events a modicum of coverage, giving them approximately the same amount of coverage as they did the wedding of Justin Bieber, and the death of the bass player of Showaddywaddy.
     
    Extinction Rebellion are the most important ecological campaign group in  the world at this present time, and they are campaigning to force World Governments into action that will quite possibly save our species (and many others) from extinction. But the BBC don't seem to think that these are matters of any importance.
     
    Pah!
     
    Some months ago Steve Andrews released his song about plastic pollution, and I vaguely thought that I should do likewise. But it wasn't until I read the UN declaration that we only have a maximum of 12 years to avoid eco-catastrophe that I actually did something. I have been increasingly impressed by the young women across the world who are spearheading climate change protests, and I realised with a jolt that in 12 years time my four year old granddaughter Evelyn will be the same age as Bella Lack, Jamie Margolin, Greta Thunberg and so many others are now. I pray that Evelyn will also grow into a brave, intelligent and principled young woman like one of them.
     
    But looking at her Mother and Grandmother I do not think I have much to worry about. This song and video are free for people to use as they will, however, I would be grateful if you let me know...
     
    Corinna is mostly pain free, although in discomfort. We have two appointm,ents this week which I sincerely hope will shed light on her condition, and indicate what her treatment should be. In the mneantime she is being massively brave. I cannot tell you how much I love and admire that woman. Poor lass has to undergo another batch of tests, and we continue to forge on until something actually happens. Please remember us in your thoughts and prayers.
     
    ALL TODAY'S GONZO NEWS WOT'S FIT TO PRINT:
     
    THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: Man - Live at the Marq...
    THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem
    BARBARA DICKSON TV INTERVIEW (2018)
    DESERTFEST MEETS: HAWKWIND
    HERE'S THE REAL GRAHAM FELLOWS
    JON DOWNES: Evelyn's Song
     
    OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF FROM THE GONZOVERSE:
     
    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 #3011/2
    THE REVOLUTION ISSUE
     
    In another fantastically fab issue, We hit the street with Extinction Rebellion, Alan goes to the Edinburgh Blues and Rock Festival featuring Ten Years After, Mad Iccy goes to see Suggs, John waxes lyrical on Larry Carlton and Space Shifters, Carl and Geordie critique the new Hallowe'en movie, Job writes about Wreckless Eric, Rob goes to see Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets, and Alan goes to an exhibition showcasing the history of Scottish pop music. And there is more besides...
     
    #Hail Eris!
     
    And there are radio shows from Strange Fruit, Mack Maloney, AND Friday Night Progressive, AND there are columns from Kev Rowlands,  AND C J Stone, AND Mr Biffo but though Neil Nixon, AND Roy Weard 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 stickat. And the best part is IT's ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!
     
    This issue features:
     
    The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu, Alan Moore, The KLF, John Higgs, Greta Thunberg, By the Sea exhibition,Tony Klinger, Bart Lancia, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy Osbourne, Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets, Richard Freeman, Strange Fruit, Friday  Night Progressive, Mack Maloney's Mystery Hour, Beverly McClellan, Enrico de Jesus Puno, Jimmy Farrar, Theodore Jones, Frederick Segrest, Fred Hess, Todd Schofield, Cornelius "Sonny" Fortune, Melvin Ragin, Tony Joe White, Hardy Fox, Baba Oje, Mikhail, Roman Grinev, Joshua M. Fauver, Mark Steed Fosson, Roy Anthony Hargrove, Glenn Schwartz, Dave Rowland, Tom Diaz, Tama Renata, Hugh Alexander McDowell, The Fall, Tony Palmer, The Chad Mitchell Trio, Deviants IXVI, Mick Farren, Alan Dearling, Edinburgh Blues 'N' Rock Festival 2018, The Rising Souls, The Jensen Interceptors, Charlotte Marshall and the 45s, Dana Fuchs, Ten Years After, John Brodie-Good, Larry Carlton, The Hayward Gallery, Space Shifters exhibition, Icarus "Mad Iccy" Ruoff, Suggs, 'Rip it Up' - The Story of Scottish Pop, Kev Rowland, Light the Torch, Michael Moss Accidental Orchestra, Medmoriam, Michael Schenkerfest, Ministry, No Hot Ashes, Nonsun, Carl Marshall, Geordie Jackson, Halloween 2018, Mr Biffo, Chris Stone, Hawkwind, Jonathan Downes, The Coldharbour Diaries, Zen and Xenophobia, The Wild Colonial Boy, Martin Springett, Eric Goulden, The Wreckless Eric Manual
     
    And the last few issues are:
     
    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 (Straqngelove)
    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?

    JON DOWNES: Evelyn's Song



    Some months ago Steve Andrews released his song about plastic pollution, and I vaguely thought that I should do likewise. But it wasn't until I read the UN declaration that we only have a maximum of 12 years to avoid eco-catastrophe that I actually did something. I have been increasingly impressed by the young women across the world who are spearheading climate change protests, and I realised with a jolt that in 12 years time my four year old granddaughter Evelyn will be the same age as Bella Lack, Jamie Margolin, Greta Thunberg and so many others are now. I pray that Evelyn will also grow into a brave, intelligent and principled young woman like one of them.

    But looking at her Mother and Grandmother I do not think I have much to worry about. This song and video are free for people to use as they will, however, I would be grateful if you let me know...


    NEWS FROM NOWHERE: Monday/Tuesday

    ON THIS DAY IN -  1794 - Britain's King George III signed the Jay Treaty. It resolved the issues left over from the Revolutionary War. 
    And now some more recent news from the CFZ Newsdesk




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  • 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)