Cryptomundo » Monster Quest: Meldrum Comments

Monster Quest: Meldrum Comments

Posted by: Loren Coleman on November 14th, 2007

Jeff Meldrum

Jeff Meldrum, Ph. D., Idaho State University, emailed me late last night. He shares his insights regarding the “Sasquatch Attack” episode of the History Channel’s recently broadcast “Monster Quest” program. Below are his unedited remarks, given for clarification, from the point of view of someone who was there:

Loren ~

I’m running a couple days behind this week.

1. Bear in mind that the result is based on a mere 300 nucleotide sequence. This is extremely small data set. Results based on that short a sequence would never get published for any study, let alone one as controversial as this. I was not aware that Curt felt more sequence could be attained. [BTW: Todd Disotell, at NYU, should not be characterized as "skeptical" in the derogatory sense. He has been extremely willing to provide assistance and even recruited the involvement of the NY Medical Examiner's office on past samples. Age, degradation and contamination of the sample exposed to the elements for two years, rendered them inert to standard protocols, which was all Todd had the time or resources for.]

2. We were not cowering in the cabin. We came in briefly to gather equipment (thermal and night vision) and naturally Doug, ever the producer, wanted a quick spontaneous interview while we were all together. We forged into the woods surrounding the cabin as far as the precarious terrain in near total darkness would reasonably permit. Curt in particular was some distance into the forest with thermal.

I laughed when the narrator said “morning couldn’t come too soon for Meldrum and Nelson”. We stayed outside for several hours and only retired at about 2:30 or 3:00 a.m. when nothing further seemed to be happening and fatigue was making me punchy. We stayed dressed just in case, and shortly after the lights went out a chunk of cord wood landed on the roof, creating quite a commotion. The difference between a golf-ball-size rock lobbed on the roof and a hefty piece of cord wood gave some pause about rushing outside. I went onto the covered back stoop with my night vision and can’t recall how long I was there.

Unfortunately we had to depart he next morning, after we scoured the periphery for any signs — not likely given the ground cover.

Doug intended for us to return this past summer, but a number of complications all around prevented that plan from being realized.

The experience in no wise “proved” the existence of sasquatch. Nor was ours a unique experience as many will attest to. Hopefully this will spawn some positive interest (as opposed to musk ox hair, pickled paws, or lanky bears). My best, Jeff

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 14th, 2007 at 6:08 am and is filed under Bigfoot, Breaking News, CryptoZoo News, Cryptomundo Exclusive, Cryptotourism, Cryptozoologists, Cryptozoology, Evidence, Expedition Reports, Eyewitness Accounts, Forensic Science, Media Appearances, Pop Culture, Public Forum, Sasquatch, Television. You can follow responses via our RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is not allowed.

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26 Responses to “Monster Quest: Meldrum Comments”

marksquatch responds: November 14th, 2007 at 6:59 am
This is a most informative comment; I think it makes the context clear. I get the impression that the programme was edited to make things seem more ’scary’ than they actually were for dramatic effect.

This is still one of those so-near-yet-so-far events.
slappy responds: November 14th, 2007 at 9:34 am
science (even cryptd science, i suppose) does not often make for compelling TV. perhaps this show, if anything, will spur some interest in a more thorough looksee into what appears to be an interesting area.
Scarfe responds: November 14th, 2007 at 10:03 am
It seems I was, at least in part, right to question the sensational nature of the experience as I said in the first thread about the rock throwing incident. Many thanks to Meldrum for giving us his experiences.
eireman responds: November 14th, 2007 at 10:04 am
Sensationalized television equals ratings, esp. for the average Joe who is watching this program while downing a few beers. I absolutely LOVE Meldrum’s book. It is logical, scientific, and compelling - a veritable beacon in the night. But let’s face it, it can also be a bit dry for the above referenced “average Joe” who tuned into a show called “Monster Quest” rightfully expecting monsters. This brings me to a comment I posted previously wherein I stated that serious scientists, investigators, writers, supporters, etc… should refrain from using the term “monster” unless context deems it necessary, as in referencing the historical name, Loch Ness Monster.
greywolf responds: November 14th, 2007 at 11:06 am
Glad Jeff responded . TV is TV but the program and Jeff’s comments still asks the question …….WHO or WHAT chucked the fire wood on the roof?
planettom responds: November 14th, 2007 at 11:58 am
Loren, great post and many thanks to Dr. Meldrum. I couldn’t agree more with the comments above. I was a bit turned off by the sensationalism of the program. At least for me, hearing/reading Jeff’s comments on his experience puts it more in to perspective for me.
Alligator responds: November 14th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Excellent post. This helps put everything in context and demonstrates that there is still cause to investigate this area. Always remember, TV programs are always after ratings so they do tend to “spin” the story a bit. Meldrum’s matter-of-fact this is what happened statements doesn’t make for high TV ratings.
dogu4 responds: November 14th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Great to hear Dr. M’s “what really happened”.
We shouldn’t loose sight of the fact that even the most “documentary style” programme that we see has undergone a similar transition in becoming “produced” and ready for airing…good thing to remember whenever one sees anything on TV which would cause one to be either elated, angered or crest-fallen. If it’s not entertaining and/or provocative in some significant way, it will not reach the audience and its message will go unheard. A dilemma of sorts.
bucko responds: November 14th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Thank you Dr. Meldrum for your letter. And thank you Loren for posting it. It makes me feel better to know you guys didn’t hide from Bigfoot. I couldn’t understand how a guy could spend the night alone in the woods, then hide, when he had people around.

You guys are right, t.v.’s all about the ratings. Eireman- I agree, I don’t much care for the term “Monster” either. But, I will admit, it does get your attention.
WIDOW responds: November 14th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Yes indeed I knew what was going on with this new “reality” series. I have been on quite a few “reality” shows and unfortunately producers only care about one thing, and that is getting the perfect catch phrases out of you as well as the eye catching content they can. So to do that often times they will stop you while shooting and have you reword something you have stated. Or they will setup certain scenarios while shooting and have you redo an action or reaction. Pretty soon the “reality” is lost through the re-shooting, view bending through editing, and narration. While I like reality television and the entertainment value of it, I had wished there would have been less producer hands in this. What they should do is have given Jeff all the equipment he needed and let them tape the episode to get some real footage without the hovering producer. Yes I understand they have to make a show out of the footage but I wish it had been more raw. It was great though seeing Jeff on the case.
SOCALcryptid responds: November 14th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Thank you Dr. Meldrum for clarifying what actually happened at the cabin. I really like the scientific approach you take in gathering evidence on sasquatch. You are trustworthy and I greatly appreciate it. Keep up the good work and I hope you can get back to Snowgrove Lake. I think this lake has much more to offer to science.
Thanks for this post Loren.
Ceroill responds: November 14th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
I’d also like to thank Dr. Meldrum and Loren for providing us this clarification of things. Keep up the good work guys.
sausage1 responds: November 14th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
This is all exremely interesting. When is this going to air in the UK? Anyone know, Loren? I’ll need to find somene who can work my video recorder.
Bob K. responds: November 14th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
planettom writes: “I was a bit turned off by the sensationalism of the program.” I probably dont have to tell you, but with TV its all about the ratings. Sensationalism/generating controversy isnt very honest, but it does attract viewers.
planettom responds: November 14th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
Bob K. you are absolutely correct. The sensationalism will draw more of an audience which in turn increases the ratings. I guess that is expected. The upside of that also is that it will expose more viewers to the program about bigfoot, who may not have tuned in otherwise. However, I guess my point is, as a Cryptomundian, I’m still looking for that strictly scientific documentary, which might be boring to some, maybe, but exciting to me. Don’t get me wrong, Monsterquest is a fun program.
cryptidsrus responds: November 14th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Thank you Dr. Meldrum for the thoughtful comments. And thank you, Loren, as always for giving him the opportunity to respond.

I agree with all of the comments above. While one WOULD wish for a more scientific, matter-of-fact presentation, one cannot help but admit that the sensationalistic editing does draw the average viewer in. Most viewers I suspect are not interested in the nut-and-bolts aspect of Sasquatch resarch but simply wants to know “Is it real or is it not?.” And “Is it friendly and/or intelligent?” This is not totally bad though, if it gets people more interested in Bigfoot research.

I wonder what Benjamin Radford thinks of all of this? Last comment I saw of his seemed to imply the whole thing was not “scientific” because the Sasquatch threw rocks at the cabin.
Ole Bub responds: November 14th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
Good evening Cryptos…

Several of our group had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Meldrum this past weekend, in Jefferson. I found him to be polite, genuine and professional. He took the time to meet with us, listened intently, viewed some of our images and accepted our CD’s with interest and humility.

I agree with those opposed to labeling these magnificent creatures as monstrous. I’m amazed at the respect and restraint squatch show us…despite our annoying and threatening behavior toward them…JMHO

live and let live…

ole bub and the dawgs
SOCALcryptid responds: November 14th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Ole Bub, I agree with you regarding Dr. Meldrum. I have had conversations with him through e-mail. I wish That I too could have been in Jefferson To meet him. He is truly genuine and very professional as you said.
I hope all went well at the conference.
Atticus responds: November 14th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
Excellent response by Dr. Meldrum.Im glad he had the time to answer a few of the thoughts and questions that many of us were thinking.

Great Post Loren.
KenMD responds: November 14th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
Dr. Meldrum,

If you are going to go back there, you should consider inviting the TBRC as they seem to be the most scientific-based organization out there, and they may have some of the equiptment may be necessary to aid in the investigation.
DWA responds: November 15th, 2007 at 9:46 am
Now of course we have what seems to me the only other logical explanation, unless bears are developing throwing skills: somebody was putting one over on our buddies here.

Could the folks who were there address that possibility?

I’ve gone so far as to say it would be at the least very unlikely given the remoteness of the locale (unless of course someone there had a Vested Interest).

But how likely do the people who were there think it is?
mystery_man responds: November 15th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
I am surprised at how different this account is from what I was being given the impression of in the other articles and posts, although I suppose I shouldn’t be considering the other posters here are right. These shows are there for ratings. It just solidifies in my mind the importance of not jumping to any conclusions in general, and especially so based on what is seen in a show. It is a dangerous thing to make any sort of assumptions based on incomplete facts. I suppose I let myself get caught up in the hoopla about what happened at the cabin and I am glad there was this clarification on some of the details. It looks like the DNA samples were not nearly as exciting as I had thought.

I actually hadn’t seen the show considering I could not get it in Japan, could not find it online (I’m old fashioned, hate this Google stuff), and have no access to it on tape. I’ve been relying on the knowledgeable information of other posters here. But even not seeing it, I had the sneaking suspicion that events did not transpire quite as was reported. That being said, I am still curious about the whole chain of events concerning the DNA samples and rock throwing incident. Not as exciting as I originally thought, but still intriguing to me.

As dogu4 said, this is the dilemma with these sorts of shows. We want facts, but the people who make the shows don’t do it for their health. They need to make profit in order to go on and make other shows, so around and around we go. It is unfortunate that some misinformation ends up spread as a result
DARHOP responds: November 15th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
I had the pleasure of meeting Jeff Meldrum along with Peter Byrne and Bob Pyle at the museum here in Washington State a few weeks ago. And from what my instincts tell me, from the short period of time I talked with him, he is a man of his word. If he says they weren’t hiding, you can most definitely bet the bank on it.

My question is, why the owner of that cabin didn’t have the police come and do some finger printing? I bet you could of got whole hand prints. As messed up as that cabin was. You would think that some kind of prints were left behind.
EastTexan responds: November 16th, 2007 at 12:37 am
This is essentially what Dr. Meldrum told us in Jefferson last Saturday. I was very impressed with his honesty and sincerety. I have a son who is in video production and he has mentioned to me how little is used of what is shot and how flexible the point of view can be. Thank you, Loren, for this informative post.
CBFResearcher responds: November 16th, 2007 at 1:39 am
Thank you Dr. Meldrum. I will have to get his book. Always nice to have a respected and objectable person involved in the syudy.

Cheers.
WilyPuma responds: December 3rd, 2007 at 1:38 am
Jeff,
et al,

Hey, next time get someone up on that roof w/ IR & night vision. That way when the stuff hits the roof you know where it came from. You could get a bird’s eye view and could direct your fellow researchers where to run into the woods. Even an 8’ tall ape has to be somewhat close to see a roof and lob firewood at it. You could even shoot from up there. Be armed with something besides cameras…we need proof (dart guns if you REALLY want but a body is fine with me).

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