Nanaimo Historical Society Presentation

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Thursday, October 8th, 2015
7:30 PM to 9:00 PM

On the Trail of North America's Great Ape: The Sasquatch

For well over a century sightings of large hairy ape-like creatures have been reported from California to Alaska. Historical evidence for its existence can be found in explorers’ journals and First Nations legends.

Our speaker for tonight, wildlife biologist John Bindernagel, will examine several types of compelling evidence supporting the assertion the sasquatch is an existing North American mammal. Examples of eyewitness accounts, sketches, and audio reports will be discussed. In addition, for this audience, Bindernagel will present examples of published North American historical sasquatch accounts. Some of these accounts have languished for over a century for reasons which will be discussed at this presentation. Our guest speaker will also describe and illustrate several recent and historical sasquatch reports from the Nanaimo Lakes and Benson Creek areas. John Bindernagel holds a B.S.A. from the University of Guelph and an MS and PhD from the University of Wisconsin.

John Bindernagel had a 30-year international career as a professional wildlife biologists with the Canadian International Development Agency with the United Nations, living and working in Uganda, Tanzania, Iran, and Trinidad and Tobago. He also participated in wildlife research projects in most of the Canadian provinces but especially in BC and Alberta. His interest in the sasquatch began in 1963 and eventually led to a family move to Courtenay BC, in 1975. It also led, eventually, to two books on the subject: North America’s Great Ape: The Sasquatch (A wildlife biologist looks at the continent’s most misunderstood large mammal) (1998) and The Discovery of the Sasquatch (Reconciling Culture, History, and Science in the Discovery Process) (2010). After 7 years of research and writing required to complete the second book, he resumed field work in 2011 and continues in this activity.

At the time of this writing Bindernagel is in the town of Alert Bay on Cormorant Island where he is investigating recent reports and recordings of loud and unusual vocalizations coming from the forests that surround the community. ###

The Nanaimo Historical Society is a non-profit organization. Founded in 1953, the Society’s mission is to preserve, promote, and celebrate the history of Nanaimo and central Vancouver Island.

Annual membership is $24 for and individual, $30 for a family, and $34 for an organization.

Membership includes a subscription to British Columbia History, the quarterly journal of the British Columbia Historical Federation.