October 9, 2005
I don’t know of anyone who has seen "The Ochopee Skunk Ape", the documentary about David Shealy’s quest for the skunk ape, the Everglades variety of Bigfoot. In an article in the Marco Island (FL) Sun Times, the film is described as "basically Shealy’s true-life story and his experiences with the skunk ape during that time." Basically being the key word here.
The article even states, "Adding to the suspense was a 15-second sighting of the skunk ape as it ran through Shealy’s campground three weeks ago. A University of Minnesota faculty member captured the ape on film and gave Martin (the filmmaker) a still photograph of the incident."
Other than in this article, I have never seen nor heard of this footage. The article was published January 6, 2005, so the footage would have been shot mid-December. The article also states that the movie features Shealy’s footage of the shunk ape. I’ve seen his footage, as have many others on Unsolved Mysteries. I wonder if it includes the recent footage shot by the university faculty member?
So I ordered a copy of the "The Ochopee Skunk Ape". I will let you know if the new footage is there. That’s gotta be worth $30, don’t cha think? I mean this film was going to make the rounds "to the various film festivals such as the World Film Festival in Naples, Sundance Film Festival, and Cannes, France". Sounds like it will be a bargain at twice the price.
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.
Filed under Bigfoot, Bigfoot Report, Cryptozoology, Evidence, Hoaxes, Skunk Apes