European researchers plan to use the latest DNA technology to analyze samples of unidentified animals from around the world, hoping to crack the mystery of the legendary Bigfoot.
Oxford University and Lausanne Museum of Zoology announced their new project this week, appealing to museums, scientists and Yeti aficionados from all around the world to share hair samples considered to be from the mythical Bigfoot.
Scientists will conduct new genetic tests on just a few strands of hair, and the tests should not take more than a few weeks. The sample is considered to come from an unknown species. However, scientists should be able to determine how closely the sample is related to other species, including apes and humans.
According to Bryan Sykes of Oxford University, the group had already received many samples for testing, including blood samples, hair, as well as items allegedly chewed by the mythical ape-like creature. The plan is to reserve the next few months for sifting through samples, then decide on which specimens to test. Sykes and colleagues will publish their results in a peer-reviewed journal. Other experts concurred that recent advances in DNA testing could, in theory, solve the Bigfoot mystery.
"If the Yeti is real and somebody has found bits of their hair, you should be able to tell from the DNA in the hair if this is actually a Yeti," said Mark Thomas, a professor of Evolutionary Genetics at University College London, according to the Associated Press. Prof. Thomas is not connected to the project.
While agreeing that DNA testing could prove whether a sample belongs to Yeti or not, Thomas was not sure how likely it was that someone might possess actual Yeti hairs. According to some scientists, Yeti would be a distinct hominid species, or a mix between homo sapiens and Neanderthals or other species. Evidence has already revealed interbreeding between homo sapiens and Neanderthals.
"If Yetis have survived for the last 30,000 years, they have probably had a pretty miserable existence and are a small population vulnerable to extinction," said Thomas. "It's not as insane an idea as many might think, but the chances are pretty small."
Meanwhile, Sykes agreed that there are slim chances of proving the existence of a new Yeti species, but in his opinion the study is worthwhile nonetheless. "If we don't look, we'll never find out."
The mythical giant, hairy, ape-like creature is variously referred to as Bigfoot, Yeti, Sasquatch, the Abominable Snowman, and other names. The creature supposedly lives in heavily forested or snowy mountains, but its existence has never been proved. Numerous eyewitness reports, intriguing photos and stories along the decades, however, have kept the legend alive and there are still many people who believe it exists.
On the other hand, the skeptical believe this project is a waste of time and resources. "No serious scientist [would] treat Yeti as a worthy research project," David Frayer, professor of biological anthropology at Kansas University, told the AP. According to him, scientists have tested supposed Yeti hairs before, "and they turned out to be from a bison."
Those who want to read more details on the project or share samples with Sykes and colleagues can find all necessary information on the project's Web site.
