Though his feet may be big…
His body large, and ape-like hairy?
One would think such a Yeti beast would be safe from voracious pursuits …
Because, yeah, he’s scary!

Hunted by curious minds from Oxford?

Yeti, Beware!

[via io9] Oxford University is going Yeti-hunting

Genetic analyses have come a long way since researchers last took a serious look at remains claimed to belong to cryptids like yeti and bigfoot. Now, Oxford University researcher Bryan Sykes thinks it’s time to revisit the issue using some of the most advanced analytical techniques available.

[...]

“It’s an area that any serious academic ventures into with a deal of trepidation, Sykes told Reuters. “It’s full of eccentric and downright misleading reports.”

Sykes intends to take a systematic, measured approach to the investigation — subjecting samples collected from museums, scientists, cryptozoologists and Heuvelman’s impressive inventory, to “rigorous genetic analysis” and publishing results in peer-reviewed scientific journals — in an effort to distance himself as much as possible from the pseudoscientific stigma so closely associated with cryptozoology.

Personally, I’m most intrigued by Sykes’ plan to use the study to examine humanity’s evolutionary origins, which Reuters’ Chris Wickham explains may be bound up with the myth of the yeti:

Aside from the yeti question, Sykes said he hoped the project would add to the growing body of knowledge on the interaction between humanity’s ancestors.

“In the last two years it has become clear that there was considerable inter-breeding between Homo Sapiens and Neanderthals … about 2 to 4 percent of the DNA of each individual European is Neanderthal,” he said.

One hypothesis is that yetis are surviving Neanderthals. The joint project will take DNA samples from areas where there have been alleged sightings to see whether the Neanderthal DNA traces are stronger in the local population.

Here’s hoping Sykes can stay firmly planted in the realm of rigorous science for his investigations. Some compelling findings may come of them, yet. [Read More]

And if they find you in Texas?
Duck and cover my hairy friend
Cause the next hunter you see?
May very well be your end!

[via Cryptomundo] John Lloyd Scharf got a response from the Texas Wildlife officials about killing Bigfoot:

Mr. Scharf:
The statute that you cite (Section 61.021) refers only to game birds, game animals, fish, marine animals or other aquatic life. Generally speaking, other nongame wildlife is listed in Chapter 67 (nongame and threatened species) and Chapter 68 (nongame endangered species). “Nongame” means those species of vertebrate and invertebrate wildlife indigenous to Texas that are not classified as game animals, game birds, game fish, fur-bearing animals, endangered species, alligators, marine penaeid shrimp, or oysters. The Parks and Wildlife Commission may adopt regulations to allow a person to take, possess, buy, sell, transport, import, export or propagate nongame wildlife. If the Commission does not specifically list an indigenous, nongame species, then the species is considered non-protected nongame wildlife, e.g., coyote, bobcat, mountain lion, cotton-tailed rabbit, etc. A non-protected nongame animal may be hunted on private property with landowner consent by any means, at any time and there is no bag limit or possession limit.

An exotic animal is an animal that is non-indigenous to Texas. Unless the exotic is an endangered species then exotics may be hunted on private property with landowner consent. A hunting license is required. This does not include the dangerous wild animals that have been held in captivity and released for the purpose of hunting, which is commonly referred to as a “canned hunt”.

If you have any questions, please contact Assistant Chief Scott Vaca. I have included his e-mail address. I will be out of the office and in Houston on Friday.

Best,

L. David Sinclair
Chief of Staff – Division Director I

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Law Enforcement Division
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX 78744

Office 512.389.4854
Cell 512.971.2668
Fax 512.389.8400
“Texas Game Wardens Serving Texans Since 1895-Law Enforcement Off the Pavement”

[Read More]

No bag limit for the Yeti?

*sadness*

Here’s to hoping Oxford never locates one in Texas…

And?

That they don;t taste like chicken, because if they do?

I have a feeling the Yeti will be extinct long before Oxford even admits to discovering one.