Bigfoot. The Loch Ness Monster. Werewolves. Vampires (the non-sparkling kind). Leopards and panthers on the prowl in rural Hampshire. We've all heard tales of the weird and mysterious creature, appearing somewhere it shouldn't be, doing something impossible, and then buggering off again leaving barely a trace.
Cryptozoology is one of the most enduring and appealing topics in skepticism, with a surprisingly high percentage of the public believing in at least one form of unproven or esoteric creature's existence - yet in the UK skeptical scene there's often very little coverage of the topic. This is, some would argue, something of a shame, given that the the myriad myths and monster tales not only make for a rich and vibrant cultural tapestry, illustrating how beliefs can spread and how tall stories can take root, but that cryptozoology also provides a great testing ground for honing one's skeptical chops. Many's the investigator who's learned the value of visiting a site and speaking to eye witnesses during research into this or that unlikely creature, picking up on details and nuances a stay-at-home skeptic may have missed.
Well, it's time to put that right!
In order to delve into the reports and folklore surrounding beasts and monsters, and to take a look at how to go about tracking and investigating a cryptid, we've assembled a crack team of skeptical researchers, featuring:
- Joe Nickell - the author of 'Tracking the Manbeasts' and one of the most respected researchers in the field, having identified the less-than-supernatural source of the Mothman mythology.
- Deborah Hyde - folklore specialist and researcher with a penchant for ghoulish and macabre monsters.
- Hayley Stevens - one of the UK's most active skeptical monster researchers, whose work has seen her investigating media-friendly Lake monsters and big cats on the prowl in the South West.
So, if you've a yearning for a yeti or a craving for a chupacabra, if you're openly partial to an Orang Pendek, if you're krazy for a Kraken and barmy or baffled by the Beast of Bodmin - why not stop by the Cryptozoology panel and ask our experts?