Once A Classified Species

Anyone who desires to prove the existence of Sasquatch/Bigfoot should consider both the Responsibilities and Ramifications attached to their goal!

I realize it seems entirely impossible for what is shown in many of the attached images to ever happen to Sasquatch when they can't even be proven to exist.  However once that day comes and they are proven to exist, there will be a new reality.  The caveat, poachers would also have a new target.  Unfortunately some people don't think this far ahead.  There are so many issues I truly want to address, but I must admit it's been challenging to focus on just one subject at a time.   But finally, and while lengthy, here's one of the topics I had been working on.   Hopefully it will offer those wanting to prove these beings existence something more to think about.   Why?  Because like with no other species that man has uncovered, these beings do appear to be a 'people' of sorts, and thus we are saddled with a never-before level of responsibility if we expose them.  I also know I am not the only person who considers this avenue of thinking and I'd like to believe it is a result of being wise from both years and relevant experience in the subject.  I say this because there are some in the field who demonstrate the complete opposite, and the pieces fit that they actually possess neither attribute.

There are also more of them out there then most people consider possible!  They aren't some species with a tiny population that hangs in the balance in some isolated remote sections of Wilderness.

At some point we may head down the final DNA path where proof of Sasquatch' existence will be shared with the world.  This may or many not be a good thing! As a repeat witness, I personally don't require DNA proof to know they exist, but most of the population doesn't have that benefit.   That aside, I believe that proving their existence, may be a much more complicated matter then most scientists within the field may themselves presently realize.   I contend that there is great responsibility to proceeding with such a decision, which entails comprehending there may also be a great cost.   Possibly the greatest misconception for all, is believing that their protection, post verification, will bring guaranteed peace for the species.  This may be a fantasy wish.   While I didn't always realize it myself, this assumption where I now have serious doubts!  Just about every person who calls themselves a researcher, evolves thru a thought process of wanting to 'prove their existence, so they can be protected'.   No doubt this is a noble goal, but it may also be quite naive if their thought process doesn't evolve far enough.  Establishing their safety after being outed, isn't going to be so automatic because there WILL be unintended consequences!    What will the real cost be of forcing these beings out of legend and into reality?  Clearly such a change won't be by these beings choice either, and its obvious that they prefer to remain largely hidden from our world.   (For whatever their reasons.)   We may actually be opening up a Pandora's Box in more ways then we can possibly comprehend.  Why?  Partly because there are as yet unseen players who will do whatever they can to exploit the species in ways most aren't even comfortable in considering.   Laws won't deter criminal behavior when there is a profit to be made, and that is what hasn't been completely thought through in this quest to prove their existence.

Anyone thinks I'm coming at this from any sort of naive position myself, back in the early 1980's after I saw my own first Sasquatch in Yosemite National Park in 1977, I once was going to lead some friends out to hunt and kill a Sasquatch to prove their existence once and for all.   But something happened the night before leaving that would change my mind forever about doing something like that.. ---------  I've also encountered a Sasquatch twice while armed while out deer hunting, once within 22 feet where it cut me off along the trail and I had to contemplate shooting him if he approached further.   Although to this day I do not believe I would have survived the ordeal given his size compared to my puny rifle.  So if anyone can speak knowledgeably about the subject, its me.

So what possible outcomes could there be after actual DNA evidence is published?  Will the world of science even accept the results based on hairs, tissue, or other partial samples?  Many still doubt it.   And if not, then what?   What if science collectively demands what many have already assumed they'd say: 'We need a body!'?   Will the cat be out of the bag, but without enough evidence for protection, will a new accelerated race begin?    Those in the field who have researched the subject extensively may be more inclined to accept said evidence, but those who haven't ever been engaged in discussions or read the multitude of anecdotal accounts, may not be so quick to acquiesce acceptance of their existence.   Science and society may still demand a specimen, and this may set a new stage we have not experienced before.    Of course first will come a period of doubt of the claims and maybe even ridicule given events like the Georgia hoax.    While a peer-reviewed report may hold up to relative scrutiny, the powers that be in government may also drag their feet.   When government agencies are asked by news media to acknowledge whether there is something out there, what will they say?   Will they respond honestly or will they take the same path of denial or 'no-policy'?   Even if they do acknowledge something is out there, there may still be an overwhelming demand from the scientific community saying 'we want to examine a body!'. What then?  Will we end up in a sort of never ending foot-dragging?

As a result, a sasquatch body may instantly become worth several million dollars, its already worth more then the $1 million offered in the past, but this will be a whole new race when we enter this next phase.   There likely won't be any restrictions on how death ultimately occurs for newcomers to the race.   A new 'specimen-value' will find its own place within society.  The race will begin and there is nobody in charge or any rules or ethics guidelines to follow.   Point is, Sasquatch may soon become a commodity despite everyone's good intentions today.

Up until now, Sasquatch has been mostly limited to legend within society.  The vast majority of the population has never seen one.  Some may never accept that such a species could even exist.   But with all the talk about DNA studies, bigfoot bodies, shootings, are we entering a new era?   Are we also ill prepared for the changes to come?  Everyone believes "They need to be protected!"    This desire for 'protection' has been the justification for why many bigfooters are out there trying to prove they exist.   Is this a good enough reason however?   Some justify killing one as a specimen in order to fulfill that goal.  From their perspective, the ultimate protection of the species remains a worthwhile goal.  But I must ask, how many Sasquatch have been maimed in this unfulfilled goal over the years?  Do we ever hear details of the undocumented attempts of their failures?    I am aware of a few other well organized attempts of the past, but I suspect many more failed efforts are kept secret.   Still, the race continues to harvest one.   That said, more and more of these hunter/researcher groups are beginning to understand the methods required to possibly harvest a specimen.  Its not pretty either.   I also suspect that in some regions, Sasquatch have been chased and shot at more then others, and this has even made them meaner.  This is not good.  The problem is, the individuals willing to take the step in harvesting one haven't realized that these beings are definitely something more then just some giant ape.  They are a people on some level, though we don't understand how evolved that may be of course.

Regardless, lets step forward a decade with a possible hypothetical scenario.  Sasquatch has gained increased acceptance as a real species, even accepted by science.  For that matter, laws are on the books that have relegated them as a protected status in the US and Canada.  They don't quite fit within your standard ESA Classification however.   They are found to be part human, but there are differences from us too. They are of magnificent size. They are wild and powerful. They even harness some abilities and differences which their DNA fails to explain.

No doubt most people have good intentions, but rarely are we able to think through the long term ramifications of our actions.  Its just not easy seeing into the future, but we can learn from past mistakes in real life situations.    A few years ago I even drafted up a 36 page Draft ESA Petition to list Sasquatch as a Protected Species, because I was having such successes in the field and felt it was the right thing to do.   Yep, I even based it on the Giganto theory but have long ago grown past that.    That petition language is buried away now because I realized there is much more to these beings then most will ever comprehend.  By their behavior, they also appear to not want to be proven.     So here's what needs to be pondered.   Will new laws protecting the species in the US and even Canada, prevent illegal activities such as poaching, or even attempts a poaching?  I don't believe so!  In other countries it requires full time armed patrols to protect gorillas and other species in the wild.  We have illegal poaching of record elk here in the US just for a set of antlers.  Why would new laws be effective with Sasquatch in the US?  Because its a Feel Good endeavor?  Lol  Don't be so damned naive!  Well, 'some people', may never understand this.

There are a few scenarios that I have previously raised in forum threads. The first stems from my concern that once they are proven to exist, that a new Black Market will be created.  This is what most Protection Advocates haven't quite thought through and apparently some aren't emotionally equipped to do so!   It may be the inevitable natural progression of events in a society where such practices are already well organized and widespread.    First you have your egotistical mighty big game hunter that must have every species in existence mounted on his wall.   I'm a hunter too, but I would never condone killing one of these beings ever again for such an arrogant cause.   There are elements out there who kill for other reasons too.  

First, let us look at what generally happens when there is a recognized species that is determined to also be dangerous to humans.  Their Populations are Regulated!  So if there are areas where humans have suspiciously disappeared, it could become the Managing Agency's responsibility to limit their numbers, to cull numbers in areas that are deemed to be too high.  Same as they do for Wolves, for Deer, for Bear.  And if they are found to be responsible for destruction of livestock, landowners will also have the right to kill offenders.

The REAL point of this article is to point out the big issue that most people have little understanding of.  There is a strong bush meat and parts market on our planet.  Some of this is driven by demand in third world countries that already have a view of the power transferred from consuming meat or using ground up powder of different species.   Even some modern Asian cultures still pursue parts for such purposes.  Well imagine the virility some will see as coming from the great Sasquatch!  Don't think Third World markets won't affect them in the US either, look at bear bile for those countries leads to constant poaching in the US.

In addition, how will protecting them in the US or Canada, protect them in Third World countries where they may also exist, where up until now, they have only been a mythical creature not worth the time pursuing?

Within certain undeveloped cultures, there remains those who believe that one can gain an animal's characteristics by ingesting its parts. So under such ideology, imagine the strength and vitality one could gain from ingesting Sasquatch parts.  For anyone who does not think this is a problem worldwide with other animals, just check out these two links.  Thinking those elements will not 'try' to do the same with Sasquatch would be extremely naive!   Of course, being successful is another matter, but even that won't diminish a new level of harassment on the species.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=91869&page=1

Never Overpay for Bear Bile Again! : Zooillogix

So, for those who are driven by the desire to prove their existence, understand that you are taking on a responsibility for the species' well being that is 'far greater' then what you may have ever previously considered. Will proving their existence, actually doom the only major advantage they actually had? Anonymity.  Those who don't want to see them harmed will essentially be powerless when organized criminal elements begin seeing new financial opportunity on the horizon.

There appears to be a lion share of researcher who believe that we have to prove them so they will be protected. Well, nothing may be farther from the truth once Sasquatch joins the library of existing genus.  Once they are considered REAL, a new pursuit for them will begin. Just look at the images below if you don't believe this can happen.  Every so-called researcher needs to consider this possible outcome. 

gorilla-parts-seized

gorillas-121.jpg 

There are hundreds of sources for photos of this despicable trade. Don't be fooled in thinking that once Sasquatch are protected in US and Canada, that it will offer any real form of protection overall. The reality is, it will only create desire for a new extremely rare & exotic species, and hence creating a new market that few have contemplated possible .

Once they are proven to exist, what laws can possibly stop this kind of activity?  The following is part of just one of many busts that occur every year, but is only a small dent in the scheme of things. Will we be adding yet another species to the list to become part of the slaughter?

In the following photo there are 480 bear paws confiscated in an illegal smuggling bust in Russia.  This kind of impact can sterilize forests of wildlife.   

Here is the larger news story which is just a small portion of the documented trade in illegal parts. Just imagine what a comparable image of bigfoot could look like. So what will a bigfoot head or foot be worth?

Folks, I am raising these tough issues because I truly fear they have not been considered by those who are steaming ahead at full speed in their zeal.  I realize there has been decades of efforts by researchers to prove their existence, but understand, there is a reason why most Native American and First Nations people haven't shared proof before now. Frankly, there are also things in our universe that science remains ignorant of.  If there is one species on earth that resides partly unexplainable, Sasquatch is it, and DNA may not reveal those less tangible elements of what they are.    These are things we MUST think about! Don't think that some ESA Protection is going to prevent an attempted slaughter of individual sasquatch when opportunity arises. Right now there is no market, but that is only because officially these beings do not exist and most people don't believe they do. Once they are proven to exist however, everything will change. So far, smugglers have had no reason to chase a species, that as far as they know, does not exist. Prove their existence and they will have every reason in the world to begin their pursuit in ernest. What will a Gallbladder or the foot or hand of a Sasquatch be worth? What will ground up powered bone be worth in the third world black markets? Have the laws to protect Tigers, Elephants, and other rare species, stopped those who don't care about obeying laws?  No.

The question isn't even if someone could be successful in shooting one, its the chase that would begin, and HOW this would affect the species.  

The stark reality is, classifying Sasquatch as a new species, does not guarantee its protection! They are different realities.  What if the government subsequently comes forward and says that we have been aware of these entities for a while and the reports seem to be coming from a far greater number of people then would seem possible for a rare low-numbered species.  Therefore what if the government doesn't feel their numbers warrant protection?  What then?   Under normal scenario, the agencies involved often study the species for years in order to evaluate their numbers.   Other times there is immediate emergency protection.   In this case the field is hoping that they will proceed immediately towards protection.  What if they don't?    

Furthermore, if they fit within the Homo genus at least partly, then protection may not be able to come from the traditional Endangered Species Act (ESA) route either.    After all, if they are human or part human, there are already laws on the books.  Why should they receive added protection?    Could the government say "well if they are human, there is nothing more for us to do."   Of course we know they are different from us, but how is this demonstrated with existing proof?   If we can't view them at will, how will their differences be delineated in order to show why they require special treatment within their realm of existence?    Point is, will the discussion of their protection evolve into a stalemate just as other seemingly progressive but confusing efforts do in government?   

Most Native people just assume to leave them alone.  Even more have long felt the need to keep the truth about them from European newcomers on this continent.  They feel this way because they are being protective, they know from experience how Europeans have screwed up their own way of life and the land.   Why subject a unique wild species to the same treatment?

After all is said and done, I hope to not hear from people: "My God, what have we done?" Its not so easy to think through these ramifications beforehand unless they have been laid out before them.   While many didn't think about it before this column, maybe now it won't be so easily ignored. Everyone involved has a responsibility.   Are you doing what is right when you consider the potential costs such as outlined above?  I hope everyone with a hand in research looks closely at the photos I've posted above and mulls over just where we could end up in the future.   While proving their existence may be your desired outcome, people need to consider that their actions may have yet another unexpected bad outcome as well.  Just something to think about...