By Dave Jones: Columnist
Whether you believe in them or not, there’s something alluring about mythical creatures. From the mysterious big-footed Yeti of the Himalayas to the rumored glimpses of the fabled Loch Ness monster, stories persist in cultures across the globe. So why do these creatures lurk in our minds, regardless of the lack of official physical evidence proving their existence?
Cryptozoology, or the study of legendary animals thus far unrecognized by science, has been with us since at least the 1500s. However, it was only made an official study in 1955 so in that regard it’s relatively new.
It’s also not about finding these creatures – it’s studying the data, both biological and cultural, to learn more about the phenomena.
You’ve undoubtedly heard of the animals related to the study. Let’s face it, Sasquatch and Nessie have become such a huge part of pop culture they’ve appeared in movies and TV shows such as 1987’s Bigfoot and the Hendersons and The Simpsons respectively. But their origins go far deeper than that.
Stories abound in Native American culture about creatures that defy scientific explanation. Lake monsters, Sasquatch, the flesh-eating wendigo and giant flying avians called thunderbirds are an important part of their belief structure. They’re not all physical animals, either. Some are spiritual entities, but incredibly influential nevertheless.
Alive and well?
There isn’t any conclusive proof of large, undiscovered creatures existing in areas of the world that are largely colonized, but belief in them is proof itself that we desire to hold onto mystery.
Large-footed unidentified apes aren’t just limited to western reports, either. Stories of one of the most famous creatures, the yeti or the abominable snowman, come from snowy mountain peaks of Asia. Tibetan lore describes multiple different types of Yeti, and there’s been numerous TV shows in search of their existence.
It should be noted that none of these creatures have been proven real by scientific standards. In fact, there’s been quite a few investigations that revealed their presence to be highly unlikely, if not impossible. Take Nessie, for example, the prehistoric creature said to inhabit the murky depths of the Scottish Loch Ness.
Since 1934 there have been various pictures and videos taken of the supposed reptile, which some theorize to be a living specimen of plesiosaur. Despite thousands of people visiting the loch hoping to catch a glimpse of the beast, the most compelling examples of photographic evidence has been debunked.
A 2019 scientific study surveyed the DNA within the loch to find out what exactly lived in there. There was no sign of anything that would identify a plesiosaur or indeed any kind of large reptile. Interestingly, though, the loch contained a concentrated number of large eels, suggesting that it’s not impossible an oversized one could be behind the legend of Nessie.
Sasquatch has had its pursuers within the scientific community. Its fame originated in North America in the 1950s when a logger allegedly discovered huge footprints much bigger than anything belonging to a human. It earned the elusive creature the nickname “Bigfoot” and the thought of its existence has captivated curious minds ever since.
Interest in Sasquatch reached fever pitch in 1967, when Robert Gimlin and Roger Patterson apparently captured footage of the ape walking across a creek bed. However, no irrefutable evidence has been discovered over the decades, and any DNA samples found are now attributed to bears.
Other sasquatch evidence is now largely disputed. A deceased logger’s family said their father created the initial fake footprints, and photographic evidence is either too blurry to be considered proof or has been entirely condemned as hoaxes. The search still continues, and probably will for some time to come.
Sasquatch’s mountainous equivalent, the yeti, came to the attention of western mountaineers in the early 20th century, though it was circulating among sherpas and Tibetan communities long before that. Similar to Sasquatch, there’s been photographic “evidence” and alleged footprints found throughout the years, sparking off expeditions seeking to conclusively prove it a reality.
The famous explorer Sir Edmund Hillary sought out the yeti in the 1960s and there have been multiple attempts to find any shreds of evidence in recent years, too. Some scientists argue that DNA results indicate the creature might exist in some sense, but instead of an ape it could be a hybrid of a brown bear and a polar bear. Yet even this claim is disputed.
The lack of evidence for cryptids has done nothing to dissuade believers of their existence. In the face of experts claiming to the contrary, many people still hold on to the possibility that these creatures are out there somewhere. So what drives them to carry on the search?
The yeti is not a strange, superhuman creature as has been imagined. We have found rational explanations for most yeti phenomena"
Perhaps the answer to the enduring nature of cryptids can be found in our interest in their existence to begin with.
Regardless of concrete proof, there’s no denying that they represent our desire to connect with the world in one way or another. Some cryptids are used to represent immaterial subjects.
The Native American belief of the wendigo, for example, varies but could be considered a metaphor for cannibalism if it’s not taken literally. It’s also been used as a cautionary tale against selfishness.
There isn’t any conclusive proof of large, undiscovered creatures existing in areas of the world that are largely colonized, but belief in them is proof itself that we desire to hold onto mystery. They’re evident of our sense of wonder and discovery in the environment around us. But does this mean that they don’t exist at all?
Stories and legends of cryptids persist, and not just in one culture but replicated across many different ones which are seemingly unconnected. Perhaps there is a seed of truth to them just waiting to be found? After all, an ancient fish called the coelacanth was thought extinct for millions of years until it was discovered alive and well in 1938, a “living fossil” more or less unchanged by time. Maybe Mother Nature is still keeping a few of her cards held close to her chest - only time will tell.
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