North America Bigfoot Sightings: Scientists Reveal New Information Regarding Identity of the Mysterious Sasquatch [Study]

Bigfoot or sasquatch is a legendary humanlike, primate creature believed by some people to exist in the wilderness of the northwestern United States and western Canada. For decades, it has captured the imaginations of many and even integrated into American and Canadian folklore. The fabled hominid even baffled not only the cryptozoology community but also scientists for more than half a century.

The alleged existence of bigfoot became widely known to the public after Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin filmed a walking, bipedal hairy creature in 1967. However, the scenery of the Patterson-Gimlin film, has been confirmed by scientists and experts to be a hoax. It was reportedly staged near Bluff Creek in northern California. Yet, this does not stop public interest in the creature until now.

Sightings of the alleged unknown hominid species have been reported in North America, even after the 1967 bigfoot hoax, wherein the creature was said to be a human in costume as a disguise. Still, there are no concrete evidence, including hair samples or footprints, that would prove the existence of the mysterious sasquatch in western North America.

North America Bigfoot Sightings

Sasquatch sightings in North America have become a source of contestations or debates among laymen, footage experts, and even scientists in recent decades. Although the 1967 Patterson-Gimlin film is no longer considered credible scientific evidence, there are still unconfirmed reports of related sightings in contemporary times, sparking renewed interest of the mythical creature.

In a scientific study published in the journal on January 13, new information sheds light on the potential identity of the fabled sasquatch. In the context of North America bigfoot sightings, the new research paper's author Floe Foxon, founder of the Folk Zoology Society, correlated between bigfoot sightings and black bear populations across the US and Canada.

Could Bigfoot be a Black Bear?

The new study is based on previous premise that there are still likely multiple undescribed species in North America's forests and that most scientists collectively agree that majority of sasquatch sightings can be linked with the black bear (Ursus americanus). This bear species is common across the region, ranging from Canada to the US (including Alaska), and northern Mexico.

Black bears can be found in different terrestrial ecosystems and habitats, including forests and mountains. According to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), American black bears are omnivorous and will eat both plants and meat. Being solitary creatures, they are mostly seen in remote areas but there are also instances when they end up in human-populated areas, where food is available.

Due to the widespread presence of black bears across North America, the Zoological Society of London study cites that there were approximately 5,000 bears per bigfoot sighting (based across all states and provinces). Using statistics as a basis, Foxon asserts that many apparent sightings of sasquatches are likely misidentified known forms, including a bear.