Spain: Remembering the Vilobí “Yeti”
Posted by: Craig Woolheater on February 27th, 2011
Spain: Remembering the Vilobí “Yeti”
By Javier Resines
Forty three years ago, on February 26, 1968, a curious encounter occurred in the Catalonian municipality of Vilobí del Penedés, a little over than sixty kilometers from Barcelona.
U.S. author and journalist John A. Keel (of Mothman fame) included it in his book Strange Creatures from Time and Space (El Enigma de las Extrañas Criaturas), published in 1987 by Editorial Mitre. Keel describes the experiences of some frightened children as they observed a sort of large apelike being in the environs of this community. What seemed at first a figment of boyish imagination acquired credibility when the creature was also reported by several adults in what appeared to be a Bigfoot “mini-flap” in the area.
According to the Arriba newspaper in the next day’s issue (27 Feb ’68): “The animal drank water from a pond near the eyewitnesses’ home. It fled, leaving a certain number of large footprints — 40 centimeters long — resembling those of a plantigrade. These footprints match those of the description offered by motorist Roberto Juver, who claimed having encountered an animal with a large, hairy body and long arms several days before near Hostalrich. It crossed the road in front of him, walking with a tired gait.”
The newspaper reported that neither local zoos nor circuses had reported any missing animals that could have caused the confusion. A measure of panic permeated the area and massive searches were conducted, and were fruitless, as usual.
(Translation (c) 2011, S. Corrales, IHU)
Inexplicata
The Institute of Hispanic Ufology was established in October of 1998 with the appearance of the first issue of Inexplicata. The organization currently has representatives and contributing editors in over a dozen Spanish-speaking countries.
About Craig Woolheater
Co-founder of Cryptomundo in 2005.
I have appeared in or contributed to the following TV programs, documentaries and films:
OLN's Mysterious Encounters: "Caddo Critter", Southern Fried Bigfoot, Travel Channel's Weird Travels: "Bigfoot", History Channel's MonsterQuest: "Swamp Stalker", The Wild Man of the Navidad, Destination America's Monsters and Mysteries in America: Texas Terror - Lake Worth Monster, Animal Planet's Finding Bigfoot: Return to Boggy Creek and Beast of the Bayou.
I recall reading about this many years ago but I didn’t realise this ‘alleged’ Spanish bigfoot happened in early 1968 not long after the Patterson Gimlin film became known. I guess that explains it to me now. Hoax, influenced by the PGF? Hmmmmmmm.
Basajaun, maybe?