Canadian Cryptid Cops Part III
Posted by: John Kirk on August 11th, 2006
1977 was a busy year, as far as cryptids were concerned, because the RCMP were called out to investigate huge footprints found in Alberta. The following news paper from the period gives us the details:
THE MYSTERY AT MANYBERRIES
DAN TRAFFORD
MANYBERRIES Who in Manyberries could leave footprints in the snow measuring 19 inches?
Or perhaps the question is what?
This strange puzzle is being discussed over coffee in Manyberries homes today and may continue to be a hot topic for months as residents build a new chapter in a long list of "bigfoot" legends. Some residents are not certain the trail in the snow next to the CP Rail station is a hoax. And RCMP Thursday were unable to determine what tale the large footprints might reveal.
Thelma Dunlop, who lives with her husband Vern in the train station, said she was "frightened" Thursday morning when she looked from a window and saw "big footprints" in the snow.
"Well. I don’t know what they are, but nothing can have feet that big," she told The News later.
Following her discovery, a long morning passed in which almost all 80 residents of the village visited the railway station. With 9 1/2 years experience on the force, RCMP Constable Bruce Best said it is the weirdest thing he has ever encountered. "I’ve never even had a weird report," said Best. "I don’t know what to think, actually."
Hotel owner Mike Larner was equally puzzled by the footprints. Puzzled enough to call in the RCMP. Larner said he spent a restless following the closing of the hotel tavern because "dogs kept barking and howling the whole night."
Best, with the Dunlops and Larner, examined the footprints which led from the front of the station along the side of the building. Larner noted whatever made the footprints seemed to have stopped by a window. Larner said a pause was indicated by footprints spaced by only a few inches at that point. One imprint, still clearly defined despite the morning mildness, showed a print of five toes and measured 8 inches at the widest point. About 3:45 p.m. Best followed the footprints but lost them a short distance from the station.
"Whatever evidence was there is gone now," said Best after he lost the footprint trail.
Larner said it might be a hoax. "But why near the rail station, why not somewhere more visible?" he asked. Best said two of the prints, side by side, appeared to be made by a right foot. However, he said, when the snow melted most of the prints were obliterated. Vern Dunlop, who has managed the rail station for seven years said he doesn’t think anyone in the village would attempt such a hoax. Questioning of village residents by Best Thursday evening revealed nothing more. Best said he expects to find out more on the footprints in the next few weeks as residents attempt to find answers. Meanwhile, the mystery of Manyberries’ CP rail station prowler, be it six or sixteen feet tall, man or beast, will be remembered for a long time.
Source: Medicine Hat (Alberta) News; Friday, December 2, 1977
About John Kirk
One of the founders of the BCSCC, John Kirk has enjoyed a varied and exciting career path. Both a print and broadcast journalist, John Kirk has in recent years been at the forefront of much of the BCSCC’s expeditions, investigations and publishing. John has been particularly interested in the phenomenon of unknown aquatic cryptids around the world and is the author of In the Domain of the Lake Monsters (Key Porter Books, 1998).
In addition to his interest in freshwater cryptids, John has been keenly interested in investigating the possible existence of sasquatch and other bipedal hominids of the world, and in particular, the Yeren of China. John is also chairman of the Crypto Safari organization, which specializes in sending teams of investigators to remote parts of the world to search for animals as yet unidentified by science. John travelled with a Crypto Safari team to Cameroon and northern Republic of Congo to interview witnesses among the Baka pygmies and Bantu bushmen who have sighted a large unknown animal that bears more than a superficial resemblance to a dinosaur.
Since 1996, John Kirk has been editor and publisher of the BCSCC Quarterly which is the flagship publication of the BCSCC. In demand at conferences, seminars, lectures and on television and radio programs, John has spoken all over North America and has appeared in programs on NBC, ABC, CBS, PBS, TLC, Discovery, CBC, CTV and the BBC.
In his personal life John spends much time studying the histories of Scottish Clans and is himself the president of the Clan Kirk Society. John is also an avid soccer enthusiast and player.
man, big foot seems to be a peeping tom. More and more I’m hearing reports of them looking in windows. If that was a man, the nba missed their man. Did any other info say whether the tracks couldn’t be made anywhere else, did they melt or get covered by new snow? I can understand the creature walking on the sidewalk to frozen landscape not allowing it to leave prints.
Good morning John….
Thanks for the continuing saga in Canada…please continue…..eh.
all the best…
ole bub and the dawgs
Yes please keep us informed.
this is very interesting, great article about canadian cryptid cops 3.
We in England are really enjoying these stories, please keep ’em coming.