Cryptoworld » Cryptozoology

New Micro Moth Unique to UK

David Churchill — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 07:57:32 +0000

Micro Moth (Ectoedemia heckfordi)

A 3mm long Moth, which was first found in 2004, has been recognised as a new species!

The micro-moth, which lives in Hembury Woods in Devon is believed to be unique to the UK and not found anywhere else in the world.

The tiny moth, with a wingspan of just 6mm, was first spotted in 2004 by amateur naturalist Bob Heckford.

In January this year (2010), the moth was officially recognised in the journal Zookeys as a new species, and named Ectoedemia heckfordi after its discoverer.

Source: BBC [link].
More info: Ectoedemia Heckfordi (Wikipedia).

1930s Loch Ness Monster did exist! (Maybe)

David Churchill — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 20:27:42 +0000

Loch Ness Fish

The Loch Ness monster was believed to exist according to a 1930s declassified document.

In 1938, the chief constable of Inverness-shire raised concerns about protecting Nessie from hunters!

In a letter released by the National Archives of Scotland (NAS), he wrote: “That there is some strange fish [creature] in Loch Ness now seems beyond doubt.”

Interestingly he refers to it as a “strange fish“, and not a creature or monster.

But what is clear is at the time there was a real concern for the safety of the locals, tourists and the monster itself (if it exists!).

Transcript of the letter can be found below.

INVERNESS-SHIRE CONSTABULARY
COUNTY CONSTABULARY HEADQUARTERS THE CASTLE
INVERNESS. 15th August, 1938

The Loch Ness Monster.

I should like to refer you to your letter to me dated 21st Nov., 1933 (Ref. No. 36125/1) with which you enclosed a copy letter dated 13th Nov., 1933 received by you from Sir Murdoch MacDonald, M.P. for Inverness-shire.

In my reply to this correspondence, dated 23rd Nov., 1933, I indicated the only step which the Police could usefully take, was to warn the people resident in the neighbourhood and as many as possible of the visiting public, that the preservation of the Monster was desired.

It has now come to my notice, that a Mr. Peter Kent and Miss Marion Stirling, both of London, are determined to catch the Monster dead or alive.

Mr. Peter Kent visited Fort Augustus on Friday, 12th August, and was seen there by my Officer stationed at Fort Augustus, to whom he stated that he was having a special harpoon gun made and that he was to return with some twenty experienced men on the 22nd of August for the purpose of hunting the Monster down.

That there is some strange fish (creature) in Loch Ness seems now beyond doubt, but that the Police have any power to protect it is very doubtful. I have, however, caused Mr. Peter Kent to be warned of the desirability of having the creature left alone, but whether my warning will have the desired effect or not remains to be seen.

If you have any suggestion to make or can offer any guidance in the matter, I shall be grateful.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

William Fraser

Chief Constable.

Government protection for ‘Nessie’ – National Archives of Scotland
April 2010
http://www.nas.gov.uk/about/100408.asp

Gigantic Scorpion fossil found

David Churchill — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 11:19:46 +0000

Gigantic Scorpion

A cast is being made of tracks left by a two-metre long ancient animal in north east Fife.

The tracks were made by a giant six-legged “sea scorpion” called Hibbertopterus as it crawled over damp sand about 330 million years ago.

It is the largest known walking trackway of a eurypterid or any invertebrate animal.

The tracks were discovered by Dr Martin Whyte from the University of Sheffield while he was out walking.

Scottish Natural Heritage, which is funding the project, described the find as unique and internationally important because the creature was gigantic.

The trackway, which is preserved in sandstone, consists of three rows of crescent shaped footprints on each side of a central groove.

The groove was made by the tail of the animal as it dragged over the sand.

This contrasts previous fossil evidence which suggested that the creatures lived in the water for most, if not all of the time.

Source: BBC [link].

Montauk Monster found in Panama

David Churchill — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:42:17 +0000

Montauk Monster found in Panama

Another hairless creature has been found, this time near Panama City.

The creature, dumbed a Montauk Monster look-a-like was allegedly spotted by teenagers crawling out of a cave near the town of Cerro Azul, north of Panama City.

Fearing for their safety as the beast moved towards them, they attacked the creature with sticks before throwing it into a pool of water.

They later returned to take pictures of the hairless, rubbery body, which were then posted on the website of the Central American Telemetro Television station.

The story and photos have now been reported on almost every Cryptozoology website with varying theories and explanations – hairless sloth seems to be one theory?

I’m a bit sceptical and suspect we will continue to see more and more of these weird things.

What do you think – real or fake?

Rare African Golden Cat caught on camera

David Churchill — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:17:07 +0000

The elusive African Golden Cat

Three images of one of Africa’s most elusive cats has been caught on camera.

The African Golden Cat (Profelis aureate) was caught with a digital infrared camera trap, set up by Yale biologist Dr Gary Aronsen.

Cat info: Due to its extremely reclusive living style, not much is known about this cat’s behaviour.

The African Golden Cat is able to climb, but hunts primarily on the ground. Prey includes rodents, birds, small monkeys, the tree hyrax, small antelope species, such as the duiker, and even the Giant Forest Hog. These cats have also been known to take domestic poultry and livestock.

Source: BBC Earth News.
Image: © Gary Aronsen.

Weird – Piranha found in Devon River!

David Churchill — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 23:53:55 +0000

Piranha found in Devon river

The Environment Agency said its staff were amazed to find a dead piranha in the East Okement tributary of the River Torridge.

The piranha, which has razor-sharp teeth, is generally considered to be the most ferocious freshwater fish in the world.

The 35cm (14in) fish was spotted by Bob Collett, Dave Hoskin and Eddie Stevens during a sampling trip on the river.

Fish species which the team would commonly expect to find within the river include Salmon, Brown Trout and possibly other species such as Bullheads, Stone loach and Minnow.

‘What we actually discovered was something we would not expect to find in our wildest dreams. We could hardly believe our eyes,’ said Eddie Stevens, from the Environment Agency.

Source: Environment Agency

Mermaid spotted in Israel

David Churchill — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:54:27 +0000

Mermaid or Dolphin?

Israel is in the grips of mermaid fever after numerous sightings of the mythical sea creature off its coast.

One town council is taking the reports so seriously that is is offering a $1m (£609,000) reward to anyone who can prove the existence of a mermaid in its waters.

Kiryat Yam municipality, near Haifa, says it has been told of dozens of sightings in the past few months. “Many people are telling us they are sure they’ve seen a mermaid and they are all independent of each other,” said council spokesman Natti Zilberman.

The nautical nymph is only seen in the evening at sunset, according to media reports, drawing crowds of people with cameras hoping for a glimpse. “People say it is half girl, half fish, jumping like a dolphin. It does all kinds of tricks then disappears,” Mr Zilberman said.

Asked whether a dolphin or large fish could be a more rational explanation, he insisted: “They say it is a female figure, it looks like a young girl.”

The council denied its offer of a reward was a publicity stunt, but said it hoped to nurture the mermaid as something which could bring in more tourists.

Source: Sky News.

So, it’s probably just a dolphin, but the local council seem to think it’s a mermaid and plan on cashing in – why don’t they just set up dolphin spotting boat trips?

Bald Songbird discovered in Laos

David Churchill — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 09:42:07 +0000

The Bare-faced bulbul

The latest strange creature to emerge from a rugged region of Laos is a bald songbird, dubbed the “bare-faced bulbul.” Its little-visited habitat, a sparse forest on rugged limestone karsts, is becoming known for unusual wildlife discoveries. Scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the University of Melbourne discovered the bird while working on a project funded and managed by the MMG (Minerals and Metals Group) mining company, which operates the Sepon copper and gold project in the region.

The bare-faced bulbul gets its name from the lack of feathers on its face and part of its head. It is the only known bald songbird in mainland Asia, according to scientists, and the first new species of bulbul described on the continent in over 100 years. The bulbul family includes about 130 species.

The thrush-sized bird is greenish-olive with a light-colored breast and a distinctive featherless, pink face. The bluish skin around its eye extends to the bill, and a narrow line of hair-like feathers runs down the center of its crown. It appears to primarily dwell in trees. A description of the species has been published in the July issue of the Oriental Bird Club’s journal Forktail. Authors include Iain Woxvold of the University of Melbourne, along with WCS researchers Will Duckworth and Rob Timmins.

Source: WCS, The Latest from Laos: Bald-Faced Flyer.

Cryptoworld » Cryptozoology

New Micro Moth Unique to UK

1930s Loch Ness Monster did exist! (Maybe)

Gigantic Scorpion fossil found

Montauk Monster found in Panama

Rare African Golden Cat caught on camera

Top 10 Most Read Stories from August 2009

Weird – Piranha found in Devon River!

Mermaid spotted in Israel

Bald Songbird discovered in Laos

Top 10 Most Read Stories from July 2009