Communicating Science: Cryptozoology: science or pseudoscience?

Cryptozoology: science or pseudoscience? - a ZSL Science and Conservation Event

Can cryptozoology, the investigation of animals such as Bigfoot, the Yeti and the Loch Ness Monster be considered a science? Although considered dubious by zoologists, recent work has suggested that presumed extinct animals can reappear years after extinction and that the inventory of even large animals is not complete. Accounts of sea monsters are actually amenable to statistical investigation and it is possible to use last reported occurrence to infer extinction date. Has the time come for "cryptozoology to come in from the cold"?

The meeting will consist of three talks on how cryptozoological data can be studied in a rigorous statistical manner, the probability of prehistoric animals being alive today and how ecological theory can be used to inform cryptozoological investigations.

Finally the floor will be opened for a discussion on whether cryptozoology should be considered a science.

Please note: this event has already taken place Cryptozoology: Science or Pseudoscience Abstracts (77 KB)

Talks and Speakers
The meeting will be chaired by Henry Gee, a senior editor at Nature

Michael Woodley
Curve fitting to cumulative species inventories indicates that a number of animal classes defined both physically (i.e. based on size) and biologically (i.e. based on phylogenetic affinity) have not reached their predicted asymptotes. The implication of this is that there are novel taxa in these classes still to be discovered and described. The role of cryptozoology will be discussed in the context of how, as a targeted research methodology, it can help to refine the search for novel taxa. This will be discussed in the context of the 'long-necked seal' hypothesis, which has been posited to account for sightings of unknown long-necked marine animals.

Charles Paxton, University of St Andrews
The plural of "anecdote" can be "data." Cryptozoological reports can be analysed in a rigorous statistical manner if the conclusions are restrained. The presentation will report on some interesting features of historical sea monster encounters.

Darren Naish, University of Portsmouth (author of the Tetrapod Zoology blog)
Numerous sightings of 'sea monsters' suggest the presence of as-yet-undiscovered large marine animals. Recent discoveries of new whale, shark and ray species show that the possible existence of such creatures is not ridiculous. Whether 'sea monsters' exist or not, researchers have long suggested that they might represent the descendants of groups otherwise known only as fossils. A new look at the theory and data behind the 'prehistoric survivor' idea forms the focus of this talk.

Organised by Charles Paxton, University of St Andrews

This event in the 'Communicating Science' series will begin at 6.00pm (doors from 5.00pm) and talks are scheduled to finish at 7.30pm; admission is free and open to everyone (no advance booking or registration required). This event will be held in the ZSL Meeting Rooms and seats will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Dinner booking form (145 KB)

ZSL Science and Conservation Events: An essential part of ZSL's work is to communicate relevant, high-quality zoological and conservation science. The integrated ZSL Science and Conservation Events programme includes Symposia, and the new 'Wildlife Conservation' and 'Communicating Science' series. Topics cover a wide variety of zoological and conservation themes, and international experts present and discuss their research.

Further Information: please contact Megan Orpwood-Russell, Scientific Meetings Coordinator, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY.
Tel:+44 (0)20 7449 6227. Fax: +44 (0)20 7449 6411. E-mail: megan.orpwood-russell@zsl.org.

Related links
ZSL Science and Conservation Events
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