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Something stalks the forests of Utah (part 2)

 

As mentioned in the previous article on the Sasquatch or Bigfoot sightings in Utah, there are those who believe in the possibility of such a cryptid existing and there are those who are skeptical.
Scientists who criticize anyone they feel is foolish enough to investigate Bigfoot have put forth many reasons why such pursuits are not science-worthy. First, the obvious one is that Bigfoot lore is something passed down from generation to generation – especially among Native American groups – providing only anecdotal evidence of any such creature. Good science needs empirical data to analyze, and so far nothing compelling in that department has been produced by Bigfoot investigations.
Secondly, scientists argue that such a large cryptid would need a large amount of food. Many of the locations where Bigfoot has supposedly been sighted could not possibly produce enough food to sustain a breeding population large enough for an animal of such size, they contend. They also cite climate as an issue for the sustainability of such a creature in many locations of sightings. They argue these facts alone call into question the validity of such sightings and subsequent claims of such a creature existing.
Further damaging claims to the existence of such a creature is the fairly recent claim by some men in Georgia about finding a Bigfoot corpse. It did not take too long for the hoax to be revealed and for skeptics to declare it to further prove the non-existence of the creature.
There exists a network of Bigfoot researchers across the United States. Members of these groups are united by a belief in the existence of such a creature, many claiming to have seen Bigfoot themselves. Most of these researchers are amateurs, and almost none are scientists by trade. This is not to discredit their work, but in the eyes of scientists and others it is a black mark.
There is, however, within the ranks of scientists one who has explored the possibility of the existence of the Sasquatch. Jeffrey Meldrum teaches anatomy and anthropology at Idaho State University. He has been criticized by fellow scientists, including his own colleagues at ISU, for “wasting” time with researching the Bigfoot phenomena. Meldrum continues to study reported sightings and especially footprints left behind by supposed Sasquatches. He even has written a book on the subject, "Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science."
The issue of whether Bigfoot exists or not is far from being settled. Similar to the debate over the existence of mountain gorillas, the issue will probably remain unsettled until an actual creature is found and accepted as an undiscovered species. Until then, both sides agree to disagree.
 

For more info: Cick here for an article by Meldrum on Bigfoot prints

The Utah Sasquatching Group's home page here

The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization homepage here

for more on cryptozoology click here