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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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Friday, January 25, 2019

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.

  • NEWSLINK: Tiger kills and eats tigress' body at Ka...
  • NEWSLINK: British zoo's race to save abused circus...
  • NEWSLINK: Was Kanha tigress really eaten by a tige...

  • SIGHTING, UK: Man swiped at by 'panther-like' big .
  • 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 DOES HIS BEST TO GET AHEAD

    The Gonzo Daily: Friday/Saturday
     
    YER EDITOR SEZ:
     
    Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you, the latest issue of the magazine is - indeed - a week earlier. This is because neither Olivia or Corinna will be around next week. My two lovely stepdaughters had planned to take my granddaughter away on holiday next week (possibly for the last time, as she starts school later this year) and after all the horrors of the last twelve months, I wanted Corinna to go with them to have a holiday.
     
    So next week Graham, Mother and I will be joined by Gonzo contributor Carl Marshall, and Mother’s wellbeing will be bolstered by regular daily visits from Sarah, our very own Mary Poppins. So there will not be an issue next week or the week after, with the next issue arriving the day after St Valentine’s Day which is—totally coincidentally (even though we all know that there are no such things as coincidences) - Corinna’s and my 14th Anniversary.
     
    How time flies.
     
    I would, once again, like to thank all of you who continue to ask about Corinna's health. She has been on some pretty heavy duty meds for about a month now, 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 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 colorful 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:  The Fall - Hit The No...
    COMING THIS WEEKEND
    THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem
    JON ANDERSON NEWS
    LEONARD COHEN EN PASSANT
    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 #321/2
    THE ALL HAIL DISCORDIA ISSUE
     
    In a gloriously chaotic issue, Malaclypse shows us something about Discordianism, The Grande Fromage is backstage with Rick Wakeman, Alan talks to Audiobooks, Graham looks forward to Hawkwind's demicentennial, Jon writes about Keith Moon, J. K. Rowling and more, whilst Carl and co. go hellraising...
     
    #Hail Eris!
     
    And there are radio shows from Strange Fruit, Mack Maloney, Friday Night Progressive, AND Canterbury Sans Frontieres AND there are columns from Kev Rowland, and C J Stone, and Mr Biffo BUT 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 stick at. And the best part is IT's ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!
     
    This issue features:
     
    JK Rowling, Fantastic Beasts, Harry Potter, Paul McCartney, The Bruce McMouse Show, Wings, Michael Jackson, Bart Lancia, Jon Anderson, The Who, Woodstock, HMV, Andy Serkiss, Rammstein, Queen, David Bowie, Biff Vernon, Merrell Fankhauser, Rick Wakeman, Friday  Night Progressive, Mack Maloney's Mystery Hour, Bonnie Buckingham, Willie Murphy, Kevin Fret, Joseph Jarman, Georges Dimou, Clydie King, Houari Manar, Alvin Fielder, Eric Haydock, Paul Steven Ripley, Larry Cunningham, Dan Tshanda, Shane Bisnett, Brian Velasco, The Fall, Tony Palmer, The Chad Mitchell Trio, Deviants ixvi, Mick Farren, Discordia, Malaclypse The Pi r 3., Alan Dearling, Audiobooks, Kev Rowland, Child Bite, Alberto Rigoni Feat. Marco, At the Gates, Axminster, Behemoth, Born Broken, We are Breaking the Chains, Bart Hennephof et al, Carl Marshall, Geordie Jackson, James Archer, Hellraiser, Mr Biffo, C J Stone, Hawkwind, Jonathan Downes, The Coldharbour Diaries, The Wild Colonial Boy, Martin Springett, Thom the World Poet, Keith Moon, Tony Fletcher
     
    And the last few issues are:
     
    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?

    BIGFOOT NEWS IN BRIEF



    Bigfoot's 2019 Appalachian Trail Journal : About
    My name is Mike Koltonuk, aka "Bigfoot" on the trail. I am 69, a former Eagle Scout (where I think I became inclined to backpack and camp) , who likes ...

    Bigfoot spotted near Manning Park, British Columbia
    Video taken while hiking near Manning Park BC in early November 2018. possible Bigfoot sitting 200' above us off trail. digital video shot as well as ...

    Bigfoot Sighting Reported on Mountain in Utah, Team Climbs to Find It
    Recently, some new footage in which the person who captured it believes Bigfoot may have been spotted began to circulate online. Recorded in the ...

    NEWS FROM NOWHERE: Friday/Saturday

    ON THIS DAY IN -  1504 - The English Parliament passed statutes against retainers and liveries to curb private warfare. 
    And now some more recent news from the CFZ Newsdesk

  • Genome published of the small hive beetle, a major...
  • Camera trap study reveals the hidden lives of isla...
  • Genetics of California mountain lions: Research to...
  • Shocking report details massive illegal turtle tra...
  • WATCH: First-Ever Footage of a Lizard Breathing Un...

  • 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)