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Cryptids

"Cryptozoology," of course, was coined by Dr. Bernard Heuvelmans in his personal correspondence among colleagues in the 1950s, after the 1955 French publication of his book On the Track of Unknown Animals. The first published use of the word "cryptozoology" was in 1959 when a book by Lucien Blancou was dedicated to "Bernard Heuvelmans, master of cryptozoology." (See the International Society of Cryptozoology's journal, Cryptozoology #3, page 21.) Since 1982, Bernard Heuvelmans has written extensively in the journal Cryptozoology on his current thoughts defining and redefining "cryptozoology." Meanwhile, ISC's Vice President Dr. Roy Mackal has written: "...the term 'cryptozoology' seems to me particularly appropriate, coming as it does from the Greek work *kryptos*, meaning 'hidden.' 'unknown,' 'secret,' 'enigmatic,' 'mysterious'; hence literally the study of hidden animals" (Searching for Hidden Animals, Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1980, p. xi). Dr. Karl Shuker has noted that "cryptozoology" is "literally translated as 'the study of hidden life'" (The Lost Ark, London: HarperCollins, 1993, p. 11), perhaps thus too broadly encompassing plants and other nonanimal forms. From my discussions with Richard Greenwell (ISC Sec.) and Bernard Heuvelmans (ISC Pres), as well as with various directors on the ISC Board, the general feeling is that an important element in the study of hidden animals as envisioned in current cryptozoology is the input of local, native, explorer, and traveler traditions, sightings, tales, legends and folklore of the as-yet unverified animals. It is for this very reason that most, but not all, of the animals under pursuit are large ones. Therefore, not too simply, cryptozoology is the study of hidden animals (whether large or small), to date not formally recognized by what is often termed Western science or formal zoology but supported in some way by testimony (in its broadest definition) from a human being.

El Chupacabara

What is El Chupacabra? El Chupacabra - Means "the goat sucker" in Spanish. Named because of the way it sucked all the blood from Puerto Rican goats, the Chupacabra has been leaving fear in its tracks for many years now. First spotted in Puerto Rico in 1994, the Chupacabra has since migrated off the island and has recently been spotted in many locations including South America as well as the US. Although it was named because of its choice of goat-blood as a meal, the Chupacabra has reportedly attacked and devoured the blood of a wide variety of animals including dogs and sheep. As far as we know, there have yet to be any human fatalities. Due to the distinct technique the strange animal has of killing its prey, it is very easy to tell if the Chupacabra was involved in an animals death. Animals are found with puncture wounds in their neck and most of their blood removed. Often, the victim's organs have disappeared even though the only wound is a small hole in the animal's neck. Reports of laser-like cuts on the victim's ears are also common. Although some people say they have seen the Chupacabra's tracks, in many cases there are no signs of blood or tracks around the dead animals. www.elchupacabara.com

Bigfoot

Moultonboro, New Hampshire Near Lake Winnipassaukee I've seen one in New Hampshire. Moultonboro, right near Lake Winnipassaukee. That's about sixty miles from my house, in Merrimack, where I've heard screaming like a woman being mutilated, or a close resemblance, I'm sure. Next to our property (an old farmhouse) there is a swamp, miles of wilderness, and my sister and I had a frightful experience one night. In our kitchen, there is a window about six feet off the ground, we were making potato puffs (if I remember correctly) and three thuds came from the window, and when we looked, we saw the window sag in from the force of the blows for the last two. The screaming did not accompany this weird occurrence, but the screams have been heard by my parents, my sisters, and my friends (as well as myself). We always thought that they were from a Fischer cat (a weasel like creature) but I always wondered how a small animal like that could startle me awake with such terrible noise. The screams no longer occur, but some friends of mine heard them only a few years ago while they were in one of our fields at night. I've heard the scream probably 40-50 times, which now scares me to think that it may have been a Bigfoot. I never realized that the screams were associated with the creature. I may have had one or more living right near me for quite some time, have you ever heard of Bigfoot in New Hampshire? I saw one, so I know it's here, but I thought it was maybe one of ten or so, now I wonder if they are more populated. Please email any facts you may have encountered about northeastern Bigfoot. Thank you for your response, Nicholas Flood.

Loch Ness Monster

The Loch Ness Monster is supposedly living in Scotland's Loch (Lake) Ness. "Nessie" as she is called first is the best known cryptozoological creature in the world. Carvings of this unidentified animal, made by the ancient inhabitants of the Scottish Highlands some 1,500 years ago, are the earliest evidence that Loch Ness harbors a strange aquatic creature. This looks a lot like the stone carvings of the Chupacabra. The earliest recorded sighting of the Loch Ness Monster was in the biography of St. Columba by Adamnan in the year 565 AD. The monster apparently attacked and killed a man who was swimming in the River Ness. The monster didn't make headlines again until August 27, 1930 when 3 fishermen reported seeing a disturbance in the water. The men watched as a creature 20 feet long approached their boat throwing water in the air. As it passes them, its wake caused their boat to rock violently. The men were convinced that the disturbance was caused by a living creature. Following the story, the newspaper received several letters from people claiming also to have seen a strange creature in the Loch. In 1962 The Loch Ness Investigation Bureau was formed to act as a research organization and clearing house for information about the creature. In the beginning it only conducted research for a few week in the year, but by 1964 they established a more permanent presence around the Loch. Eventually the Bureau established camera stations with both still and cinema cameras with telephoto lenses. They had vans which served as mobile camera stations, and underwater listening devises. Searches were conducted using hot-air-balloons and infrared night time cameras, sonar scanners and submarines. A great deal of information was discovered about the Loch, but they have yet to produce any concrete evidence of a monster. http://www.crystalinks.com/loch_ness.html