Top 100 Living Cryptozoologists

In July 2005, a certain publication/publisher that will remain nameless commissioned me, Loren Coleman, to do the research, compile, and write the biographies for a series they wished to publish, which would have then been compiled into a book, The Top 100 Cryptozoologists: The Major Living Personalities Associated with Cryptozoology.

The group, due to some internal changes beyond my control, jumped ship before I could get much more than a bit of compiling done and a few bios finished. Of course, it was long before I was even paid to do any of the work.

What can I say? It happens. I make the choice to do this work, have passion for it, and often start projects for folks in which financial rewards never occur. I am overjoyed with being involved in trying to do what I do. The publication changed hands and directions; no one was even kind enough to say, “Thank you, but no thank you; we’ve dropped that one.” 🙂

So here I am, about five years later, working on another book project long-term and I’ve decided to revisit this list idea, as I truly get a kick out of promoting others interested in this field (even if I am on their enemies’ list). So, I said to myself, why not have a try at getting Cryptomundians’ thoughts on the people they’d like to see on such a list of the top 100. Please comment below on who would be on your list.

And, please, please, for the stake of modesty and being streamlined, just skip over my name. I’m looking for genuine input, not ego-stoking here. No need to mention me. Be honest about all whom you think are the great living “cryptozoologists” in the world, without feeling you must note me too. (Since 2005, I’ve had to take off several people who have since died, from my tentative “top 100” list. As I joke with my media interviewers, at least I’m living, so that does make me happy.)

The cryptozoologists on this new list must be living, involved in cryptozoology fieldwork, research and writing, and have had a major influence on the field via their thoughts, theories, works, personality, media impact, peer relationships, and discoveries. Cryptozoologists included should be students of various cryptids, as well as the lesser known unknown or hidden animals.

Look, I am approaching this list without personal bias, and will include people that may not wish to be in the same room with each other at a Bigfoot, Nessie, or Cryptozoology conference, but who have importance, significance, fame, or infamy in this subfield of zoology.

Impact is one of many keys to getting on the list, and the diverse individuals should come from a wide-variety of backgrounds, ethnicities, theoretical stances, and points-of-view, with a good representation of genders and nationalities. I’m not even going to influence you with those that I might put on such a list, as I might surprise you with the fighting foes I’d put in the same ring.

If you have any suggested names, please list them in the comments section below.

Please positively assist the move of the International Cryptozoology Museum, as it soon opens in downtown Portland, Maine. Please click on the button below (not the one up top) to take you to PayPal to send in your museum donation.

Loren Coleman About Loren Coleman
Loren Coleman is one of the world’s leading cryptozoologists, some say “the” leading living cryptozoologist. Certainly, he is acknowledged as the current living American researcher and writer who has most popularized cryptozoology in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Starting his fieldwork and investigations in 1960, after traveling and trekking extensively in pursuit of cryptozoological mysteries, Coleman began writing to share his experiences in 1969. An honorary member of Ivan T. Sanderson’s Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained in the 1970s, Coleman has been bestowed with similar honorary memberships of the North Idaho College Cryptozoology Club in 1983, and in subsequent years, that of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, CryptoSafari International, and other international organizations. He was also a Life Member and Benefactor of the International Society of Cryptozoology (now-defunct). Loren Coleman’s daily blog, as a member of the Cryptomundo Team, served as an ongoing avenue of communication for the ever-growing body of cryptozoo news from 2005 through 2013. He returned as an infrequent contributor beginning Halloween week of 2015. Coleman is the founder in 2003, and current director of the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine.

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