Cougars in Wisconsin

Earlier this week, I read about a sighting of a big cat in Milton, Wisconsin, which isn't that far from here. Here is an article from today's Wisconsin State Journal confirming that genetic testing on the animal's sundry residues suggest it is in fact a cougar (and, in my favorite part of the ongoing story, that it is a wild cougar, not an escaped pet . . . who keeps cougars as pets?!?).

People have been seeing these things for years, though. This article is from 2003, for instance. And here is a Cryptomundo post from last year that details some of the work being done to prove that these animals are running around up here.

I'm an Ape Man, I'm an Ape Ape Man, I'm an Ape Man

Monster Quest, a fun cryptozoology show on The History Channel, is running an episode this week focused on an alleged plan of Stalin's to create an army of ape men, which it turns out didn't really happen. However, the show is absolutely fascinating anyway, especially if you're not in the habit of keeping up with all the COMPLETELY INSANE things scientists have tried to do over the past century or so.

Here is the article that kick-started the "Stalin tried to create an army of ape-men" story, which was published in The New York Times and got picked up with some distortions by The Scotsman.

Here is a site devoted to ape-like cryptids, including the Alma, which are also discussed in this show.

The Monster Quest episode also covers other crazy stuff I wasn't aware of, including the doctor who semi-successfully performed a head transplant (the show includes very disturbing footage of this) and of course the Soviet scientist who really did try to cross-breed chimps and humans.

Anyway, this show is awesome. Watch it.

So Crazy It Might Be True!

A couple of interesting stories I saw on Boing Boing today:


The more believable one first: this dude is preggers. Is this a first? It seems like it would have happened before, since I assume it has been technologically possible for some time. And, no, you can't count Arnold Schwarzennegger.

I find this story about a dude who regrew his severed fingertip a bit hard to believe, though it is from a reputable news source. If this one's true, then, wowee zowee! People will be like Swamp Thing in the future! Just chop off an arm, sprinkle on some piggy dust, and it sproings right back. Awesome!

Gnomishness

Uh-oh! A gnome sighting.

It's good, but is it THIS good?

Squiddy Squiddy Squiddy, Rock and Roll

A friend of mine sent this to me; it's amusing.

Another friend sent me this only an hour later.

Cephalopod synchronicity?

Manigator?

Boing Boing has a cool story about the The Return of the Lizard Man.

More.

Where the Wild Things Are

A gorilla escaped from a zoo, which is bad.

But at least it wasn't a werewolf.

Or a deer man.

Cue the Theremin

Spooky.

Okay, Now That's Just Impossible...

Huminahuminawhuh???!??

I heard about this on Countdown with Keith Olbermann a couple days ago, but I didn't know scientists had actually gotten involved!

What should we call these things? Cogs? Ditties? Puppittens?

The Shields Are Doon, Cap'n!

Nick Pope, former head of the U.K. Ministry of Defense UFO project, tells us that aliens could invade his country any day now. Cue Doctor Who theme...now.

I Guess Nessie Got Thirsty?

Where'd the water go?

Link.

Kaspar Hauser's Triumphant Return

This guy appears out of nowhere, disheveled, silent, and he's a brilliant piano player.

Link.

Eh, Who Knows?

Okay. Now some scientists are saying the exploding toads might be all in our minds. Eh.

Link.

Eureka!

Apparently, we can blame crows for the splodin' toads. Who knew?!?

ABC News link.

When Something (?!?!) Attacks Animals!

What the hell? This is just bizarre. And gross. And disturbing. Poor, poor toads.

Link.

When Animals Attack!

Are animals running amok? You make the call!

Improbable Research.

More at Ananova.