WELCOME TO THE CFZ BLOG NETWORK: COME AND JOIN THE FUN

Half a century ago, Belgian Zoologist Bernard Heuvelmans first codified cryptozoology in his book On the Track of Unknown Animals.

The Centre for Fortean Zoology (CFZ) are still on the track, and have been since 1992. But as if chasing unknown animals wasn't enough, we are involved in education, conservation, and good old-fashioned natural history! We already have three journals, the largest cryptozoological publishing house in the world, CFZtv, and the largest cryptozoological conference in the English-speaking world, but in January 2009 someone suggested that we started a daily online magazine! The CFZ bloggo is a collaborative effort by a coalition of members, friends, and supporters of the CFZ, and covers all the subjects with which we deal, with a smattering of music, high strangeness and surreal humour to make up the mix.

It is edited by CFZ Director Jon Downes, and subbed by the lovely Lizzy Bitakara'mire (formerly Clancy), scourge of improper syntax. The daily newsblog is edited by Corinna Downes, head administratrix of the CFZ, and the indexing is done by Lee Canty and Kathy Imbriani. There is regular news from the CFZ Mystery Cat study group, and regular fortean bird news from 'The Watcher of the Skies'. Regular bloggers include Dr Karl Shuker, Dale Drinnon, Richard Muirhead and Richard Freeman.The CFZ bloggo is updated daily, and there's nothing quite like it anywhere else. Come and join us...

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Unlike some of our competitors we are not going to try and blackmail you into donating by saying that we won't continue if you don't. That would just be vulgar, but our lives, and those of the animals which we look after, would be a damn sight easier if we receive more donations to our fighting fund. Donate via Paypal today...




Wednesday, October 25, 2017

TODAY'S BIG CAT NEWS

The hunt for British Big Cats attracts far more newspaper-column inches than any other cryptozoological subject. 

There are so many of them now that we feel that they should be archived by us in some way, so we are publishing a regular round-up of the stories as they come in. 

The worldwide mystery cat phenomenon (or group of phenomena, if we are to be more accurate) is not JUST about cryptozoology. At its most basic level it is about the relationship between our species and various species of larger cat. That is why sometimes you will read stories here that appear to have nothing to do with cryptozoology but have everything to do with human/big cat interaction. As committed Forteans, we believe that until we understand the nature of these interactions, we have no hope of understanding the truth that we are seeking.

THE LAST WEEK AT THE CFZ-USA BLOG

CFZ-USA


  • NORTH CAROLINA BIGFOOT
  • HUMANOID ENCOUNTER IN NEW ZEALAND
  • THE LION-MAN
  • LEGEND OF GREEN MAN
  • BEAST OF NORTH LONG LAKE
  • ZOMBIE BRIDES
  • SISISMITE - HUMANOID OF MEXICO
  • LAVELLAN - SCOTTISH CRYPTID
  • ELEPHANT SAVED FROM DROWNING
  • DO FAIRIES EXIST?
  • SEA MONSTERS OF SCOTLAND
  • DISCUSSION OF DOGMAN
  • ALIEN ABDUCTION OR OBE EXPERIENCE?
  • HAS BIGFOOT BREASTS?
  • UF OVALS
  • PEUCHEN - MAPUCHE MONSTER
  • MONSTER OF LAKE BAIKAL
  • MIND CONTROL AND BIGFOOT
  • MYSTERY BIRD REPORT
  • ALLEGED VAMPIRES KILLED IN MALAWI
  • SIGHTING OF LITTLE MAN
  • GROUP OF BIGFOOT STEALING PIGS
  • BIGFOOT MUSEUM TO BE BUILT IN MONTANA
  • CFZ TV - EPISODE 3
  • LITTLE PEOPLE - NATIVE AMERICAN TRADITIONS
  • MONSTERS OF WISCONSIN
  • INSECT NUMBERS FALL
  • ROCK RIVER MONSTER
  • FLYING SNAKE IN IOWA
  • WHY DID BIGFOOT CROSS THE ROAD?
  • ARE CRYPTIDS MYTHICAL?
  • ANIMALS WITH SPECIAL POWERS
  • DOG-HUMAN COMMUNICATION
  • IS BIGFOOT THE ORIGIN OF THE TROLL?
  • ALLEGED DRAGON SKELETON
  • PARANORMAL SIEGE
  • CHUPACABRA SIGHTINGS
  • BIGFOOT IN CALIFORNIA
  • FORTHCOMING BOOK ON CANADIAN MYSTERIES
  • IS THERE LIFE ON VENUS?
  • CATLIKE CREATURE WITH HUMAN FACE
  • ANIMALS & MEN: LATEST ISSUE
  • BIGFOOT IN WISCONSIN
  • BIGFOOT IN EAST FRESNO
  • GREMLINS - REPORTS FROM PILOTS
  • BIGFOOT TERRORIZES FAMILY
  • RUSSIAN UFOLOGY
  • WODEWOSES OF YELLOWHAM HILL



  • BIGFOOT BURIAL CAVE?
  • BIGFOOT NEWS IN BRIEF



    California Farmer Captures Evidence Of Bigfoot & Family Near His Home
    A California farmer claims to have witnessed the latest “Bigfoot” sighting after spotting five of the creatures running near his ranch and taking pictures.

    Recent bigfoot sightings washington state
    This comprehensive database of credible sightings and related reports is maintained by an all-volunteer network of bigfoot/sasquatch State # of ...

    Could Bigfoot actually exist?
    What is the validity to bigfoot actually existing? we are discovering thousands of new species every year, could there be an undiscovered large ape in ...


    What Bigfoot Is
    Jonathan Odom talks about his personal beliefs of what bigfoot is and his feelings on the bigfoot community. Which isn't very nice.

    World Bigfoot Radio: Mountain giants and Sasquatch Language
    World Bigfoot Radio: Mountain giants and Sasquatch Language. Duke writes “he second part of Khat's latest visit, We start off talking about Tree ...


    A growing group of independent researchers working towards definitive proof and protection of the species commonly known as Bigfoot are pleased to ...


    THUNDERBIRDS AREN'T GO

    The Thunderbird is a widespread figure in Native American mythology, particularly among Midwestern, Plains, and Northwest Coast tribes. Thunderbird is described as an enormous bird (according to many Northwestern tribes, large enough to carry a killer whale in its talons as an eagle carries a fish) who is responsible for the sound of thunder (and in some cases lightning as well.) Known as the Wakinyan by the Sioux, there are people within the cryptozoological community who believe that the legends are based on a real animal, and furthermore, one which still exists today.
    Yesterday several people drew my attention to a news story which was spreading across the Internet like wildfire. It appears that TV coverage of The American Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, last Sunday a huge, bird-shaped shadow was cast over the race track.

    Various people have claimed that it was a condor, but there are no condors in Texas.

    Graham Inglis writes:

    "It seems the phenomenon was observed on the original live coverage. Could it have been a 'green screen' overlay added by the tv coverage team, for reasons of a publicity stunt?

    At a spectator event where an unexpected shadow passes, one would expect a few people to involuntarily look upwards. The argument that "they were all watching the racing" doesn't really hold water, as many people at a sporting event are just as likely to be using their phones, consuming a snack, talking to friends, or just looking around the sports arena for other participants.

    Furthermore, in car racing, the track typically is under observation from a variety of angles and often by several cameras too. It seems odd that a condor or an aircraft of any description could glide low enough to cast a prominent shadow, yet not be directly observed by anyone. Until we're told what the source of illumination was, one can't infer object size by measuring the shadow. A Texas afternoon would normally receive a fair amount of sunlight even in October, but floodlighting is often used on racetracks even in daylight".

    So, sadly for all the people who are claiming that this is conclusive proof of the existence of the Wakinyan.... Sadlyu, it is nothing of the kind. Not yet, at least.

    CRYPTOLINK: Loughborough water monster

    A word about cryptolinks: we are not responsible for the content of cryptolinks, which are merely links to outside articles that we think are interesting (sometimes for the wrong reasons), usually posted up without any comment whatsoever from me. 

    A dog walker spotted a creature branded the 'Lough Ness Monster' drag a struggling duck under water in Loughborough. The incident happened at ...




    FORTEAN BIRD NEWS FROM THE WATCHER OF THE SKIES

    What has Corinna's column of Fortean bird news got to do with cryptozoology? 

    Well, everything, actually! 

    In an article for the first edition of Cryptozoology Bernard Heuvelmans wrote that cryptozoology is the study of 'unexpected animals' and following on from that perfectly reasonable assertion, it seems to us that whereas the study of out-of-place birds may not have the glamour of the hunt for bigfoot or lake monsters, it is still a perfectly valid area for the Fortean zoologist to be interested in.







    THE GONZO BLOG DOO-DAH MAN MAY SING

    The Gonzo Daily: Wednesday
     
    The Thunderbird is a widespread figure in Native American mythology, particularly among Midwestern, Plains, and Northwest Coast tribes. Thunderbird is described as an enormous bird (according to many Northwestern tribes, large enough to carry a killer whale in its talons as an eagle carries a fish) who is responsible for the sound of thunder (and in some cases lightning as well.) Known as the Wakinyan by the Sioux, there are people within the cryptozoological community who believe that the legends are based on a real animal, and furthermore, one which still exists today.
     
    Yesterday several people drew my attention to a news story which was spreading across the Internet like wildfire. It appears that TV coverage of The American Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, last Sunday a huge, bird-shaped shadow was cast over the race track.
     
     
    Various people have claimed that it was a condor, but there are no condors in Texas.
     
    Graham Inglis writes:
     
    "It seems the phenomenon was observed on the original live coverage. Could it have been a 'green screen' overlay added by the tv coverage team, for reasons of a publicity stunt?
     
    At a spectator event where an unexpected shadow passes, one would expect a few people to involuntarily look upwards. The argument that "they were all watching the racing" doesn't really hold water, as many people at a sporting event are just as likely to be using their phones, consuming a snack, talking to friends, or just looking around the sports arena for other participants.
     
    Furthermore, in car racing, the track typically is under observation from a variety of angles and often by several cameras too. It seems odd that a condor or an aircraft of any description could glide low enough to cast a prominent shadow, yet not be directly observed by anyone. Until we're told what the source of illumination was, one can't infer object size by measuring the shadow. A Texas afternoon would normally receive a fair amount of sunlight even in October, but floodlighting is often used on racetracks even in daylight".
     
    So, sadly for all the people who are claiming that this is conclusive proof of the existence of the Wakinyan.... Sadlyu, it is nothing of the kind. Not yet, at least.
     
    Forgive me for banging on about our webTV show, but it matters a lot to me, and I would be grateful for an many people as possible to see it, and spread the tidings of it far and wide:
     
     
    But now, here is the news:
     
    THE GONZO TRACK OF THE DAY: Edith Piaf - Non, Je n...
    PINK FAIRIES: George Butler interview for 'Groove ...
    Daevid Allen poetry excerpt, Dane John Mound, Cant...
    LEONARD COHEN IN THE NEWS
    THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem
     
    Gonzo Weekly #255-6
    THE A IS FOR APPLE ISSUE
     
    We meet the legendary Judge Smith and talk about his new film, The Garden of Fifi Chamoix, and still in a horticultural mood Alan visits an Apples and Art exhibit which sounds cracking fun. Richard presents the second part of his critique of Steve Kimock, Jon muses about Cat Stevens and Liam Gallagher, and Biffo causes ructions in the Lord of the Rings gaming community.
     
    Wooooot!
     
    And there are radio shows from Mack Maloney, Canterbury sans Frontieres and Friday Night Progressive. Strange Fruit, is taking a week off, but will be back soon. We also have columns from all sorts of folk including Roy Weard, C J Stone, Mr Biffo, Neil Nixon and the irrepressible Corinna. There is also a collection of more news, reviews, views, interviews and southern dibblers who have books to peruse (OK, nothing to do with small marsupials who have been to the library, but I got carried away with things that rhymed with OOOOS) than you can shake a stick at. And the best part is IT's ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!
     
    This issue features:
     
    Liam Gallagher, Yusuf Islam, Nile Rodgers, 200Fish, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Love Theatre, Rolling Stones, Queen, Small Faces, Bono, Prince, Strange Fruit, Friday Night Progressive, Canterbury Sans Frontieres, Mack Maloney's Mystery Hour, Jerry Jan Ross, Skip Haynes, Walter "Bunny" Sigler, Jan Arvid Johansen, Jimmy Beaumont, Grady Bernard Tate, Dave Bry, Iain Shedden, Sean Hughes, Roy Dotrice, OBE, Grape-kun, Gordon Edgar Downie CM, Mary Hopkin, Man, Arthur Brown, Tony Ashton and Jon Lord, Martin Springett, Third Ear Band, Benjamin Britten, Judge Smith, Alan Dearling, Dave Watson, Morag Eaton, Graham Bell, Richard Foreman, Steve Kimock, Kev Rowland, Alunah, Atomic Rooster, Rick Wakeman, Made in Cuba, Steve Howe, Mr Biffo, Roy Weard, Hawkwind, Sammy Davis Jr, Bob Marley, Elvis, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Michael Jackson, Neil Nixon, Preston Epps
     
     
    Issue 254 (Mr Biffo)
    Issue 253 (Dana Gillespie)
    Issue 252 (Cropredy)
    Issue 251 (Scott Walker)
    Issue 250 (Jamms)
    Issue 249 (Bill Bruford)
    Issue 248 (The Selecter)
    Issue 247 (Don Airey)
    Issue 246 (Steve Hackett)
    Issue 244-5 (Summer Special)
    Issue 243 (Galahad)
    Issue 242 (Steve Miller Band)
    Issue 241 (Carol Hodge and Steve Ignorant)
    Issue 240 (Midsummer Madness)
    Issue 239 (Miss Peach)
    Issue 238 (Hawkwind)
    Issue 237 (Hawkwind)
    Issue 236 (Manchester)
    Issue 235 (Jon Anderson)
    Issue 234 (Al Atkins)
    Issue 233 (Richard Strange)
    Issue 232 (Roy Weard)
    Issue 231 (Allan Holdsworth)
    Issue 230 (Curtis Womack)
    Issue 229 (Larry Wallis)
    Issue 228 (Space Pharoahs)
     
    All issues from #70 can be downloaded at www.gonzoweekly.com if you prefer. If you have problems downloading, just email me and I will add you to the Gonzo Weekly dropbox. The first 69 issues are archived there as well. Information is power chaps, we have to share it!
     
    You can download the magazine in pdf form HERE:
     
    SPECIAL NOTICE: If you, too, want to unleash the power of your inner rock journalist, and want to join a rapidly growing band of likewise minded weirdos please email me at jon@eclipse.co.uk The more the merrier really.
     
    * The Gonzo Daily is a two way process. If you have any news or want to write for us, please contact me at jon@eclipse.co.uk. If you are an artist and want to showcase your work, or even just say hello please write to me at gonzo@cfz.org.uk. Please copy, paste and spread the word about this magazine as widely as possible. We need people to read us in order to grow, and as soon as it is viable we shall be invading more traditional magaziney areas. Join in the fun, spread the word, and maybe if we all chant loud enough we CAN stop it raining. See you tomorrow...
     
    * The Gonzo Daily is - as the name implies - a daily online magazine (mostly) about artists connected to the Gonzo Multimedia group of companies. But it also has other stuff as and when the editor feels like it. The same team also do a weekly newsletter called - imaginatively - The Gonzo Weekly. Find out about it at this link: www.gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.co.uk
     
    * We should probably mention here, that some of our posts are links to things we have found on the internet that we think are of interest. We are not responsible for spelling or factual errors in other people's websites. Honest guv!
     
    * Jon Downes, the Editor of all these ventures (and several others) is an old hippy of 58 who - together with a Jack Russell called Archie, an infantile orange cat named after a song by Frank Zappa, and two half grown kittens, one totally coincidentally named after one of the Manson Family, purely because she squeaks, puts it all together from a converted potato shed in a tumbledown cottage deep in rural Devon which he shares with various fish. He is ably assisted by his lovely wife Corinna, his bulldog/boxer Prudence, his elderly mother-in-law, and a motley collection of social malcontents. Plus.. did we mention Archie and the Cats?

    NEWS FROM NOWHERE - Wednesday

    ON THIS DAY IN - 1415 - In Northern France, England won the Battle of Agincourt over France during the Hundred Years' War. Almost 6000 Frenchmen were killed while fewer than 400 were lost by the English. 
    And now some more recent news from the CFZ Newsdesk

  • Tropical beetles face extinction threat
  • 'Hiding in plain sight:' Discovery raises question...
  • Dinosaur dung fertilizes planet, new research show...
  • UA Researcher Develops Snake Bite Treatment- - via...
  • Ancient Sea Creature Looked Like a Wine Glass, Die...


  • AND TO WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK... (Music that may have some relevance to items also on this page, or may just reflect my mood on the day.