The Evidence for Bigfoot ~ Dr. Jeff Meldrum

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