Comox Valley Naturalists Society

Sunday, March 21, 2004
Dr. John Bindernagel
The Sasquatch: Serious Science or Merely Myth?

The sasquatch of North America is a controversial being but one that nearly everyone finds fascinating. Dr. John Bindernagel presented a slide show and research on the sasquatch at the meeting of the Comox Valley Naturalists Society on Sunday, March 21 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rotary Hall of the Filberg Centre, 411 Anderton Avenue in Courtenay.

Dr. Bindernagel believes there is enough evidence to warrant further research and he is passionate about investigating this mysterious creature, though not everyone, including many wildlife biologists, believe that the sasquatch actually exists. However, given the controversial nature of the subject, research funds to conduct the level of research he believes is necessary are difficult to find. "I don't go around trying to convince people that the sasquatch exists", says Dr. Bindernagel. "What I’m saying is this is worthy of scientific scrutiny."

Dr. Bindernagel, who received a PhD in zoology from the University of Wisconsin, has worked as a wildlife biologist since the 1960’s. He spent three years as a CIDA wildlife biologist in East Africa and served as a wildlife advisor with the United Nations in East Africa, Iran, the Caribbean and Central America. In 1975, he moved to Vancouver Island with his family, in part, to begin studies of the sasquatch. Since then, he has worked on many wildlife and environmental projects throughout British Columbia, mainly as a private consultant. In 1996-97, he developed and taught a course on the wildlife component of environmental impact assessment at North Island College in Campbell River. Dr. Bindernagel published the book "North America’s Great Ape: the Sasquatch", in 1998, summarizing the results of his sasquatch research. In October 2003 he gave a presentation on the subject at his alma mater, the University of Guelph in Ontario.

Click on a link below to view descriptions of previous guest speakers.