Lair of the Beasts: The Ape-Man of Sumatra

http://www.mania.com/lair-beasts-apeman-sumatra_article_131611.html A Monstrous Book
Nick Redfern
November 19, 2011

Just published by Britain’s CFZ Press is a brand new book from Richard Freeman, of the Center for Fortean Zoology, one of the very few full time groups in the world dedicated to uncovering the truth behind Bigfoot, the Yeti, sea-serpents, the Chupacabra, and much more of a beastly nature.

Over the course of the last few years, Richard has been on a number of expeditions to the island of Sumatra in search of its very own equivalent of Sasquatch: It has become known as the Orang-Pendek.

And, having collected an absolute mass of very impressive reports, credible on the record testimony, numerous stories, and taken hundreds of photographs, Freeman has now gone ahead and published his many and varied findings in his latest book, which is titled: Orang-Pendek: Sumatra’s Forgotten Ape.

Richard says of his quest to find the answers behind the legendary mystery: “We are impressed by big things; dinosaurs, whales, rhinos, super-tankers, skyscrapers. Mention mystery apes to the man in the street and he will imagine bipedal hairy giants, 10 feet tall. Indeed most reports of such things speak of massive animals; the Yeti, the Yeren, the Sasquatch, and the Yowie.”

He continues: “But for every Bigfoot there is a Littlefoot. Stories of little hairy men are widespread - but none are as famous as Sumatra’s Orang-Pendek.”

As for the specific nature of the Orang-Pendek, here’s what Freeman has to say: “Orang-Pendek means ‘short man’ in Indonesian. The creature is said to be powerfully built and immensely strong but relatively short at around 4½ to 5ft in height. It walks upright like a man and rarely, if ever, moves on all fours.”

And as Richard has come to learn during the course of his various expeditions, the Orang-Pendek is “…generally said to have dark brown or black fur but honey colored or reddish hair has been reported. Sometimes a long mane of hair that falls down to the shoulders is also mentioned. The Orang-Pendek generally seems to be a solitary creature, though there are rare reports of groups of them being seen together.”

CFZ Press note of Richard Freeman’s Orang-Pendek: Sumatra’s Forgotten Ape that: “This book looks at the history of sightings of the Orang-Pendek; similar creatures across the world; has in-depth accounts of the author’s four CFZ expeditions in search of the creature; and finally analyses the evidence to produce a cogent theory as to what the elusive short man of the forest might actually be.”

The editor and director of the CFZ, Jonathan Downes says of Freeman’s work that: “It is a tour de force by Richard Freeman, one of the most popular cryptozoology authors on the planet and the author of Dragons: More than a Myth and The Great Yokai Encyclopaedia - The A-Z of Japanese Monsters.

And if all of that has caught your attention - and you’re interested in learning much more about a mysterious ape that isn’t Bigfoot or the Abominable Snowman - then I most definitely recommend you get hold of a copy of Freeman’s Orang-Pendek: Sumatra’s Forgotten Ape at the earliest opportunity.

Written skillfully, and in an entertaining fashion, by someone who knows his way around the island of Sumatra, who has extensively searched for the animal, and who has some amazing stories, data, and witness testimony to share, the book is likely to become one of the most important, new cryptozoological-themed books in a very long time. I don’t exaggerate!

Nick Redfern’s new book, Keep Out, is published by New Page Books in December

The 7 Best Yetis Ever

Matt on 11/13/11
http://x-entertainment.com/updates/2011/11/13/the-7-best-yetis-ever

If you're unfamiliar with yetis, think "snowy Bigfoot."

Said to haunt the Himalayas, yetis (I prefer to acknowledge them as a species, not one standalone creature) are probably-not-real ape-like monsters who smell bad and eat people.

As with any cryptid with such a long and disconnected history, no two stories are ever the same. Sometimes, the yeti is huge. Other times, it's shorter than us. Some would have us believe that they're merely an unidentified species of gorilla with zero interest in humans, while others tell legends of yetis who will stop at nothing to tear our arms off.

The supposed physical traits of yetis – "abominable snowmen" – vary greatly even beyond their size. In some versions, they have dark fur. In others, they're the more classic white-furred sasquatches we all want them to be. Local legends can give yetis other names and personalities, but the basic gist – a snowy monster who can probably lift a car over its head – remains consistent.

There's nothing about yetis I don't like, and that has a lot to do with how they've been represented in pop culture. Free of the burdens of any "real life" origin story, the yetis of pop culture can be as big, fuzzy and capable of magic as their creators want them to be. And there have been some seriously big, fuzzy and magical yetis.

Below are my seven favorites. Some of them may stretch the definition of "yeti" a bit, but, for lack of a better reason explaining why I'm okay with including them, I just don't care.

#1: BUMBLE! (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer TV special, 1964)

Being a kid in the '80s, I could count on one hand the number of Christmas TV specials that were guaranteed to air each year. Rudolph was one of them. It was already ancient by the time I saw it, but it held up, and I'd like to think that it still does today. There's a lot to love about that special, but nothing beats the giant, man-eating monster who turns amicable when you steal his teeth.

You know the story, I hope. When we first meet Bumble, he's a growling meanie who delights in venison. By the end, he's a toothless teddy bear who uses his immense size to help decorate Christmas trees. Go Bumble!

Sure, Bumble barely resembles any yeti from a "true" story. Considering that he's matched with talking reindeer and ugly toys who sing about their plight, so what? He's the yeti that real yetis should be: Taller than your house and willing to clean its gutters.

#2: THE WAMPA! (The Empire Strikes Back, 1980)

Ah, The Empire Strikes Back. As a Star Wars fan, I know its power. It's our standard response to anyone who blasts us for liking Star Warsy things. The one thing from that entire universe that even the most devout hater can't discount. "The good movie."

Truth is, I like them all, but ESB had an undeniable focus and quality that makes it easy to love even without coming up with excuses. It also has a great yeti.

The Wampa is the snow creature that almost eats Luke Skywalker near the film's start. I don't feel like researching the estimates, but let's say he was ten feet tall. (The Wampa, not Luke, though that would've been interesting.)

On the ice planet of Hoth, Wampas are the boss species. They're perfectly adapted for the climate, being so covered with white fur that they're both warm and completely blended into their surroundings. While normally preferring to eat Taun-Taun (horse-kangaroo hybrids), they'll make an exception for any Jedi stupid enough to get distracted on its home turf.

Wampas are sick fucks, too. They prefer to keep their prey fresh. Instead of slaying them outright, they'll hang 'em upside-down in their caves, and let their soon-to-be-victims watch them chew carrion for days before moving in for the kill.

Star Wars books, comics and games added so much more to Wampa lore: They can work in groups, and there are even Wampa subspecies in different sizes and colors. I still prefer the original, who managed to kill a Taun-Taun by scratching its chin for exactly 1.5 seconds.

#3: THE YETI! (World Championship Wrestling, 1995)

Just a short time before pro-wrestling broke out and became the hip and happening thing of the late '90s, it still clung to concepts that weren't really working anymore: "Characters" who could not have been real people, no matter how hard you thought about it.

Still, I always loved the goofy monsters of wrestling. When WCW introduced the "Dungeon of Doom," I was thrilled. Here, a collection of otherworldly "creatures" banded together to wreak havoc and kill Hulkamania. (To give you some idea, the Dungeon of Doom included wrestlers based on everything from a shark to the Loch Ness Monster.)

That same Dungeon of Doom also gave pro-wrestling its one and only yeti.

Most consider the Yeti's debut to be one of WCW's most embarrassing moments, but in retrospect, it was pretty freakin' awesome. Literally breaking out of a block of ice in the middle of the arena, our worst nightmares came true: A seven foot monster waltzed into the ring to pummel Hulk Hogan.

WCW's interpretation of a yeti was a little misguided, as he was obviously more of a mummy. The thousands of bandages meant that the rookie wrestler portraying him could barely move, thus limiting Yeti's offense to tapping and hugging.

In at least one future appearance (and there were only a few), the Yeti "thawed out" and began wearing a $20 Halloween ninja costume. He was never a star and everyone hated him, but for pro-wrestling's only yeti, I'll gladly tip my hat.

#4: BLIZZARD! (Primal Rage video game, 1994)

Primal Rage was a fighting game, similar to Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat. The difference was that instead of controlling humans or even monsters who somewhat resembled humans, here, you made giant apes and dinosaurs kick each other in the heads.

Blizzard was one of the "virtuous beasts," literally the "god of good." He slung frozen projectiles and was worshiped by comparatively tiny people who wore blue clothes in his honor.

He's pretty much the uber yeti. All of the other yetis look at Blizzard and only wish they had his style. He shot ice. He beat up dragons. He had an edible fan club. Plus, no matter how rotten he acted, everyone remained convinced that he was a good guy. Behind closed doors, the Wampa seethes.

#5: THE YETI! (Expedition Everest, a Walt Disney World attraction)

Expedition Everest is the top attraction in WDW's Animal Kingdom park – a towering, mountain-themed roller coaster that shoots you backwards and forwards, through tunnels, with all sorts of dips and stops that all serve as appetizers, leading up to the best main course ever: A gnarly, audio-animatronic yeti who comes this close to eating you.

It's a great ride even without an abominable snowman, but factoring him in, it's worth the seventeen mile line. Disney does a great job of making the yeti seem like a huge deal. Even when you're nowhere near the coaster, ominous signs warn you of his presence. Then, if you survive the encounter, you're shuffled directly into a gift shop that sells everything from yeti plushies to yeti backpacks.

Fun fact: The yeti was and probably still is broken, unable to do the massive movements that made him such a star when the ride first opened. Instead, when you reach him, strobe lights and artificial winds will help mask the fact that the yeti can't do much on his own. Try not to notice. He's still a cool monster.

#6: GREY GORILLAS! (Congo, 1995)

Okay, maybe I'm pushing the definition of "yeti" a little too far this time, but I can't turn down an opportunity to reference Congo. One of my all-time favorite bad movies, this is an absolute feast of talking gorillas and sesame cake.

The "villains" of the film are a secret species of "grey" gorillas, who protect a cave filled with diamonds by absolutely tearing people apart. These gorillas have scarred and monstrous faces, and this paired with the right fur color makes them, at least on a stretch, yeti-esque.

Congo has its flaws, but it does a great job in building Grey Gorilla Suspense™. We start off with only the slightest glimpse, but by the movie's climax, there are around 200 hundred of them, attacking everything in sight. These hardcore warriors wouldn't even let laser fire halt their attempt to smash Tim Curry's skull. I don't see how creatures that badass and whitish grey could be anything but yetis.

#7: KIWA HIRSUTA! (Real life "yeti lobster!")

Kiwa hirsuta is a recently discovered crustacean nicknamed "yeti lobster" (or "yeti crab") for its lightly colored bristles, which resemble yeti fur. And also because nicknaming new crustaceans "yeti" is a good way to get press.

The idea that yetis would evolve into small lobsters has long been a theory of mine. God knows, hunters and thrillseekers have given the land versions enough grief. These have quickly replaced mantis shrimp as the sea creature I most want to own but never actually will.


Why am I writing about yetis now? I view X-E's Christmas season as having vaguely defined parameters, and a creature who is most at home in a pile of snow certainly fits within them.

Besides, Bumble's here!

Abominable Snowman "Close to Being Caught"

From DailyMail.co.uk:

They have long been thought to be merely the stuff of legend.

But Russian officials say they have found ‘indisputable evidence’ that yetis exist – and are living in Siberia.

The bold claim follows an international conference and expedition to track down the Abominable Snowman in the Mount Shoria area.

However, doubt has already been cast on the ‘find’ – as the team has no convincing photographic or DNA evidence. Their claim appears to be based on bent branches, a single unclear footprint and a small sample of grey ‘hair’, found in a cave.

The administration of the Kemerovo region, where the cave is situated, yesterday announced that ‘indisputable evidence’ had been found.

But critics said the expedition was more about making the area a tourist destination than true science...

STILL AT LARGE: THE HISTORY OF THE YETI

The first accounts of Yetis emerged before the 19th century from Buddhists who believed that the creature inhabited the Himalayas.

They depicted the mysterious beast as having similarities to an ape and carrying a large stone as a weapon while making a whistling sound.

The term Abominable Snowman was developed in 1921 following a book by Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Howard-Bury called Mount Everest The Reconnaissance.

Popular interest in creature gathered pace in early 20th century as tourists began making their own trips to the region to try and capture the Yeti. They reported seeing strange markings in the snow.

The Daily Mail led a trip called the the Snowman Expedition in 1954 to Everest. During the trip mountaineering leader John Angelo Jackson photographed ancient paintings of Yetis and large footprints in the snow.

A number of hair samples were also found that were believed to have come from a Yeti scalp.

British mountaineer Don Whillans claimed to have witnessed a creature when scaling Annapurna in 1970. He said that while searching for a campsite he heard some odd cries which his guide attributed to a Yeti's call. That night, he saw a dark shape moving near his camp...

Is this finally proof the Yeti exists?
Rick Dewsbury
11th October 2011
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2047528/Siberian-evidence-proof-yetis-exist-Abominable-Snowman-close-caught.html

U.S. And Russian Scientists Target Elusive Siberian Snowman

Lee Speigel
lee.speigel@huffingtonpost.com
10/5/11
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/05/siberian-snowman_n_994268.html

Snowmen aren't just playthings children build in wintertime. Some say they're living beings, and an international group of scientists are about to go hunting for one -- specifically, the Siberian Snowman.

Around the world, there have been reports of large, hairy, human-like creatures. Known variously as Bigfoot, Sasquatch, the Abominable Snowman and the Siberian Snowman, none of the elusive animals have ever been captured to confirm their existence.

But cryptozoologists -- researchers who study the alleged existence of unknown animals -- say eyewitness accounts, photographs, films, videos, footprints, hair and even fecal material all suggest the possibility of an unknown species that doesn't seem to want to be discovered.

That may all change, as scientists from the U.S., Russia and other countries come together this week for a conference that will include a trek to the Siberian region of Kemerovo to hunt for the alleged snowman.

"The creatures are generally five and a half to seven and a half feet tall, a lot thinner than what most people think of as a Yeti or Bigfoot," said Loren Coleman, founder and director of the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine.

"They're hearty-looking and have multi-colored brownish-black fur, sometimes with a lighter top to their head and patches of white on their arms, which is unique to the Siberian Snowmen."

Coleman, who is the co-author of "The Field Guide to Bigfoot and Other Mystery Primates," added that the elusive Siberian Snowman is reportedly not as fearful of humans as are his hairy counterparts on other continents.

"They're sometimes seen at the edge of a forest just staring at people and not really considered as wild creatures, compared to some Yeti reports in Nepal where they reportedly attack yaks or sherpas," Coleman told The Huffington Post.

Sightings of the Siberian Snowmen have increased three-fold over the past 20 years, prompting scientists at Moscow's Darwin Museum to speculate that there may be a small population of these creatures.

Igor Burtsev, head of the International Center of Hominology in Moscow -- which investigates so-called snowmen -- told The Voice of Russia radio that "when Homo sapiens started populating the world, it viciously exterminated its closest relative in the hominid family, Homo neanderthalensis."

"Some of the Neanderthals, however, may have survived to this day in some mountainous wooded habitats that are more or less off limits to their arch foes. No clothing on them, no tools in hands and no fire in the household. Only round-the-clock watchfulness for a Homo sapiens around."

While the Darwin Museum invited Coleman to join its Siberian conference and to give a presentation, he declined, because rather than extending to him the professional courtesy of paying for his trip, "they turned around and said, 'Oh, no, we can't afford that!' And they suggested I go to one of the online travel services to get a cheap flight," Coleman said.

Despite that little inconvenience, Coleman said he thinks the museum is doing serious work in the realm of hominology -- the study of unknown hairy bipedal creatures.

Another reason why it's not the most convenient time for Coleman to be trekking through Siberia is that he's in the process of a major expansion of his museum -- the only cryptozoology museum in the world.

"We're going to have enough space now to exhibit more of the evidence, including my collection of 150 footprint casts and other materials from Yeti, Bigfoot and other hominids from around the world," he said.

As scientists search for evidence of the Siberian Snowman in the mountains of Kemerovo, Coleman will have a grand monster re-opening of his museum on Oct. 30 in Portland.