This episode of the never-ending series "MonsterQuest" shows the frustrating nature of flesh-and-blood cryptozoology. And no, I'm not saying it's "wrong" to be a cryptozoologist. There are far worse things you can be, a Roman emperor say, or a UFO cultist. However, it *is* annoying that the cryptozoologists never really deliver the goods. It's always "almost but not quite"...
In "China's Wildman", Jeff Meldrum (one of the few scientists to take Bigfoot seriously) travels to a remote part of China, the Shennongjia Nature Reserve, in search of the elusive Yeren or Wildman, who is China's local version of Bigfoot. Natural explanations for the Yeren sightings include misidentified Golden Monkeys (they have the same hair-colour) or hoaxes. More exotic speculations include mainland Orang-utans, or a surviving population of Gigantopithecus.
The Yeren hair secured by Meldrum and his team turns out to be human hair dyed with a reddish colour to make it look like authentic Wildman hair. The team also looks at casts of footprints, which are similar to those of bears, but some significant details differ. Interesting, but (as usual) not conclusive. Besides, how do we know the casts aren't hoaxes, as well? Yet, Yeren sightings have been made for millennia, and continue to this very day.
For some reason, the Chinese government is less sceptical than the American one (who couldn't care less about Bigfoot) and has supported the work of local scientists who believe in the creature's existence. This may explain why Meldrum and MonsterQuest got Chinese government permission to do research in Shennongjia, but only for 36 hours!
In many ways, the search for the Wildman ends in disappointment. However, the long history of sightings and the footprints will prompt the cryptozoological community to continue their search.
I wish them luck, but somehow it feels like a lost cause...
[This episode is also available on a DVD which includes all episodes from MonsterQuest Season 2]
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