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Hunting for Crypto Creatures

(cont'd)

By Stephen Wagner, About.com

Mark Mihalko

Mark Mihalko

~ ACPRG
What has been your most interesting find (or closest call) so far?

Probably the Big Cat (Mountain Lion) I was investigating while I lived in Connecticut. During the days and hours I spent in the field, I came across some great evidence to the existence of some type of large cat-like creature that went hand-in-hand with eyewitness reports. Unfortunately, I didn’t find enough solid evidence to prove the skeptics wrong, but there is definitely no doubt in my mind that this animal is not as extinct as the state would like everyone to believe.

What crypto creature out there do you find most fascinating?

The Jersey Devil! This is one of my favorites. It has so many different theories of existence and such a storied history. Looking back to when it was most active in reports (way before the Internet), it is hard to imagine so many people from across such a large area experiencing the same thing.

Which crypto creature do you think has the best chance of being proved real in the near future?

In the near-term I think that the Tasmanian Tiger will be rediscovered. As for a ground-breaking new discovery, I think that the rain forests in South America or the thick jungles in Africa will reveal some type of dinosaur-like creature.

What is your opinion of the alleged sightings of pterosaurs?

I do feel that it is only a matter of time before someone comes across the evidence proving pterosaurs are real. The legends of pterosaurs have been passed down by generations and by totally different cultures across the globe and when you think of some of the areas of the sightings, isn’t it possible that these creatures hid away in caves to beat extinction? People thought that the giant panda was a myth until it was discovered, and it was passed down the same way.

What's the one, best piece of advice you can give to someone who wants to begin investigating these creatures?

Patience! The areas that these unknown animals are seen in are vast and there is no way that one trip into the woods will net a discovery. I think so far I have logged something like 75 hours in the Dismal Swamp and have only covered a fraction of it. I still have hope that something exists and will continue to search.

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