Today’s guest is the Hon. Life President of the Centre for Fortean Zoology, Colonel John Blashford-Snell OBE. Colonel Blashford-Snell is a veteran explorer and expedition leader. Some of his most well known expeditions include the first descent of the Blue Nile and the complete navigation of the Congo River. In 1978 he established youth project Operation Drake, which later evolved into Operation Raleigh.
Colonel John Blashford-Snell, here are your 5 questions on… Cryptozoology:
1) How did you first become interested in cryptozoology?
In 1979, through the search for the Artrellia, the giant lizard in Papua New Guinea, during Operation Drake. It was said to walk upright and be rather aggressive. When we eventually discovered the beast it was certainly large with huge claws but it turned out to be a known species - Salvador's monitor.
2) Have you ever personally seen a cryptid or secondary evidence of a cryptid, if so can you please describe your encounter?Not certain. In Tibet I did see a shape that looked rather Yeti-like at very long distance.
3) Which cryptids do you think are the most likely to be scientifically discovered and described some day, and why?Probably some insect. There are still a great many to be identified in the tropical forest areas. Animal life in the deepest part of the oceans is obviously another likely source.
4) Which cryptids do you think are the least likely to exist?Anything very large.
5) If you had to pick your favourite cryptozoological book (not including books you may have written yourself) what would you choose?On the Track of Unknown Animals by Bernard Heuvelmans.
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