22 February 2009
Canberra Times
Q: WHICH cryptid has the most scientific evidence to support the probability of its existence? Sherry Woodruff, Charnwood
A: THE THYLACINE. Cryptids include animals that definitely once existed and just might still be kicking about. This marsupial was most certainly with us as late as the 1930s, giving it a head start on all those other unknown animals, equivalent to almost the entire length of the track. That said, the "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence" principal espoused by sceptics still applies, and gives even us non-zoologists a good start point. We'd want a recent specimen available for study, not a fuzzy photo. Without this, Bigfoot, the bunyip and the Mokele - mbembe all have about the same status as the unicorn. It would be wonderful if, say, Nessie herself surfaced, but on my own trips to Loch Ness it was evident the locals were too canny to believe a word of it.
This doesn't rule out some strange things in the ocean depths or beyond the earth, but you've still gotta get that evidence. The ball is with the cryptozoologists! This answer is from Stephen Wilks, of the Canberra Skeptics. IF YOU have a question about the world around us or even about the worlds we may not see email or write to Nyssa Skilton at The Canberra Times, PO Box 7155, Canberra Mail Centre, ACT 2610. Please provide your name and suburb.
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