Thursday, July 23, 2015

In Pursuit of Sasquatch

Tucked away deep in the greenery of British Columbia is a hulking creature that has surprisingly won our hearts. The Sasquatch (or Bigfoot, or Grass Man, or Skunk Ape, or simply “Harry”) has been a celebrity in the west for far longer.

“He’s a contemporary cultural icon,” states Adam McGirr of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club (BCSCC), an association dedicated to the research and preservation of Sasquatch and other cryptids (unknown creatures). “Kids love him, and Quatchi’s become a representative of Canada,” McGirr enthuses.

But while Quatchi is upbeat, huggable and the life of the party, the real Sasquatch is intimidatingly large and, despite its popularity, incredibly elusive. Sasquatch sightings have grown fewer and farther between as of late, possibly due to a decrease in population.

The BCSCC isn’t deterred by Sasquatch’s recent elusiveness, though, McGirr is one of over 70 intrepid Sasquatch Investigators with the BCSCC that commit their free time to interviewing witnesses and pursuing the truth behind Bigfoot. Their location is key: the west coast of Vancouver has the highest concentration of sightings in North America, since food is plentiful for the omnivore – a feast of salmon, deer livers, and rodents is readily available.

“Bigfoot has been everywhere,” remarks John Kirk, President and Chief Investigator, who sits down with McGirr to share his personal encounters. “Sightings have been reported in every province except for Prince Edward Island. These sightings have been amidst wildlife, and in suburban areas near highways and civilization.”

Of course, Sasquatch enthusiasts are not without challengers. Sasquatch skeptics often hold campaigns against the critter, dismissing both the existence of and the expeditions in search of the creature as the stuff of crackpots. “Belief is one thing, conclusion is another,” Kirk states boldly.

The Pursuit of Sasquatch was featured in Issue 2 of Scion Magazine. To read more visit: scion.ca/magazine

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