Scientist, author and expert in human locomotor adaptations, Jeffrey
Meldrum discussed evidence for an actual biological species behind the
legend of Bigfoot.
Meldrum provided an analysis of the 1967
Patterson film. Based on the creature's movements and photos of
footprints and casts taken at the site, he thinks the film shows a real
animal. Some of the best physical evidence for Bigfoot are footprint
casts, Meldrum explained.
He talked about Bigfoot scat
(droppings) as well, and how they could be used to show what Bigfoot
eat, locate where they are ranging, and provide DNA samples of the
creature.
Meldrum also commented on the Jacobs Photos taken in
Pennsylvania on September 16, 2007, which some believe could show a
young Sasquatch. He said the creature may be a bear with mange or a
chimpanzee.
Biography:
Dr. Jeff Meldrum is an Associate
Professor of Anatomy and Anthropology at Idaho State University. He is
also an Affiliate Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at the Idaho Museum
of Natural History and Affiliate Curator of the Bigfoot Field
Researchers Organization. Dr. Meldrum has been investigating the ways
monkeys, apes and human ancestors get around, or locomote, for nearly
fifteen years. Some of his research has focused on the way in which the
human foot has adapted to the habit of walking on two feet (bipedalism).
Bigfoot, also known as sasquatch, is the name given to an
ape-like creature that some people believe inhabits forests, mainly in
the Pacific Northwest region of North America. Bigfoot is usually
described as a large, hairy, bipedal humanoid. The term sasquatch is an
anglicized derivative of the Halkomelem word sásq'ets.
Bigfoot is described in reports as a large hairy ape-like creature, in a range of 6--10 feet
(2--3
m) tall, weighing in excess of 500 pounds (230 kg), and covered in dark
brown or dark reddish hair. Self-styled witnesses have described large
eyes, a pronounced brow ridge, and a large, low-set forehead; the top of
the head has been described as rounded and crested, similar to the
sagittal crest of the male gorilla. Bigfoot is commonly reported to have
a strong, unpleasant smell by those who claim to have encountered it.
The enormous footprints for which it is named have been as large as 24
inches (60 cm) long and 8 inches (20 cm) wide. While most casts have
five toes — like all known apes — some casts of alleged Bigfoot tracks
have had numbers ranging from two to six. Some have also contained claw
marks, making it likely that a portion came from known animals such as
bears, which have five toes and claws. Some proponents have claimed that
Bigfoot is omnivorous and mainly nocturnal.
Various types of
creatures have been suggested to explain both the sightings and what
type of creature Bigfoot would be if it existed. The scientific
community typically attributes
sightings to either hoaxes or misidentification of known animals and their tracks. While
cryptozoologists generally explain Bigfoot as an unknown ape, some believers in Bigfoot
attribute the phenomenon to UFOs or other paranormal causes. A minority of proponents
of a natural explanation have attributed Bigfoot to animals that are not apes such as the
giant ground sloth.
Bigfoot
proponents Grover Krantz and Geoffrey Bourne believe that Bigfoot could
be a relict population of Gigantopithecus. Bourne contends that as most
Gigantopithecus fossils are found in China, and as many species of
animals migrated across the Bering land bridge, it is not unreasonable
to assume that Gigantopithecus might have as well.
Some suggest
Neanderthal, Homo erectus, or Homo heidelbergensis to be the creature,
but no remains of any of those species have been found in the Americas.
See
Also Ape Canyon Bigfoot in popular culture Bigfoot trap Harry and the
Hendersons List of cryptids Mogollon Monster Sasquatch, the Legend of
Bigfoot Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science Skookum cast The Legend of Boggy
Creek Tsul 'Kalu Wild Man of the Navidad Yeti
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