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From the High Desert book cover

From the High Desert

A Cultural History of Art Bell

Thumbnail for April 8, 2007: Protecting Bigfoot - Todd Standing

April 8, 2007: Protecting Bigfoot - Todd Standing

Apr 8, 2007
2h 36m
0:00 / 0:00
Art Bell speaks with Canadian documentarian Todd Standing about his multi-year effort to prove Bigfoot exists and secure governmental protection for the species. Standing describes expeditions into the Sylvanic region of the Canadian Rockies where he recorded three pieces of video evidence, including footage that CTV News enhanced to reveal back muscles and an elbow. He explains that these animals use sophisticated evasion strategies, posting day watchers at high vantage points who alert the main group when humans approach.

Standing argues that Bigfoot is not a paranormal phenomenon but a flesh-and-blood primate, scientifically classified as Gigantopithecus, that migrated to North America via the Bering Strait alongside early humans. He believes the species demonstrates a theory of mind comparable to a human child of five or six years old. His petition for species protection has been certified by the Canadian Clerk of Petitions, with the House of Commons expected to vote within 30 days.

The first two hours feature open lines dominated by the honeybee colony collapse crisis, the contaminated pet food scandal, and the firing of radio host Don Imus. Callers share stories about hummingbird disappearances and speculation about whether cell phones or chemtrails are responsible for the vanishing bees.

Key Moments

  1. From skeptic to believer in the Sylvanic region: Standing says he chased Harvard's million-dollar paranormal prize as a debunker, then became a believer after his friend's dog was killed and he started filming.

  2. Day watchers and counter-stalking strategy: Standing claims Sasquatch use sentinels at high vantage points, possibly with thermal-vision-like senses, and his team had to flank them to catch footage.

  3. Kineticist: faster than the fastest man alive: Standing says a tenured kineticist analyzed video three and concluded the figure ran a distance in 17 seconds that the fastest human couldn't manage in 24.

  4. Art's Texas Bigfoot bodies story: Bell recalls the Texas hunter who claimed to have shot two Bigfoot, mapped their burial site, and was ready to lead Art to them before backing out fearing murder charges.

  5. Why nobody finds Bigfoot bones: Standing relays Grover Krantz's hunter survey: nobody he asked had ever seen bear or cougar bones either, because the wilderness ecosystem consumes remains.