Good news for 'UFO Mystic' Nick Redfern, ufologist and author of the recent books On the Trail of the Saucer Spies and Bodysnatchers in the Desert. According to the showbiz bible Variety (via Cryptomundo), the movie rights have been sold to his cryptozoological narrative Three Men Seeking Monsters (Amazon US and UK). The interested party is apparently Napoleon Dynamite actor John Heder and his production company. Not sure how Nick feels about being played by Napoleon Dynamite, but it's good to see such a great book get this attention.

I received word yesterday that cryptozoologist Loren Coleman, one of the most honest and hardworking researchers out there, is struggling to keep his head above water financially. Having such a great community here at TDG, I thought we should try and get some wheels in motion to help Loren out. It's a cliche, and one that works better in theory than in practice, but everyone doing a little can have big results (imagine if all 10,000 readers per day of TDG gave a measly $1 from the budget?).

So, here's what to do. Break open your Paypal account and send Loren a $1 donation, via his Paypal ID of: lcoleman{at}maine.rr.com (substitute the {at} with an @). Or, if you understand that only 1 person out of every 300 out there will do anything (very depressing, but true), send $10 to make up for a few. If you would like something back for a larger donation, Loren's actually selling some of his books direct from Cryptomundo. And if you don't like that new fandangled Paypal thing, you can always send a check or money order direct, to Loren Coleman, PO Box 360, Portland, ME 04112 USA.

I'm sure Loren would be far better off if at some point (like so many others), he had sold out and told sensationalist stories about Bigfoot and assorted other creatures. But he hasn't. He researches in depth, and always goes for the truth, no matter where that may lead. It's not the best way to get ahead in these modern times, but it's something that should be saluted. So let's put our money where our mouth is - consider it shouting him a beer, or buying him a coffee...it's the least we would do if we met him in person. Let's see what the TDG community is made of.

The Centre for Fortean Zoology (CFZ) are offering a free documentary, watchable on their website, on the hunt for the fabled "Mongolian Death Worm". In 2005, respected writer-researcher Richard Freeman led a four man team from the CFZ to Mongolia in search of the notorious worm; a fabled reptilian beast said to spit venom and kill its victims with electric blasts. The investigation is documented in "The Lair of the Red Worm", which can be viewed in two parts - Part One and Part Two.

A little bit late due to illness, but I've now changed over the poll here TDG to a new question. This November marked the 40th anniversary of the original 'Mothman' sightings around Point Pleasant, West Virginia. As such, I thought it might be fun to get an idea of what readers think the 'being' was. Skeptics have suggested the sightings may be of a sandhill crane or a snowy owl, blown out of proportion by a good dose of imagination and hysteria. Others (like John Keel) have suggested the 'ultraterrestrial' theory (entities from 'other' dimensions of existence which haunt the Earth), and some that it is an unknown type of flesh and blood animal (a cryptid, ala Bigfoot and Nessie). Some have even suggested a government experiment on the small population in Point Pleasant (perhaps supported by the numerous 'Men in Black' sightings, although Keel might suggest that supports the ultraterrestrial theory).

Robert Bauval's Orion Correlation theory received support in the results of the previous poll, on the layout of the Giza pyramids, with 70% of the 1200 respondents agreeing with his idea (even with around 15% undecided). Remember all previous polls remain open for voting, and can be browsed at the poll archive page here on TDG.

With yesterday being accepted 40th anniversary of the Mothman sightings in Point Pleasant, Loren Coleman has written up an excellent piece on the details of the first sighting over at the Cryptomundo website. It gives a good rundown on how the phenomenon started, for those interested. Happily, Loren also passes on good news regarding the health of John Keel (author of The Mothman Prophecies). I'll update the poll here on TDG in the next day as well, with a fun little survey on readers' thoughts as to what 'Mothman' was.

Loren Coleman's Cryptomundo blog has a number of posts regarding the "Sonoma Bigfoot video" and how it appears to be a hoax instigated by skeptical entertainers Penn and Teller for their Bullsh*t show (that's the name of the show, not my thoughts about it). Ironically, both P&T's cryptozoology headhunting was mentioned by Loren last year in a warning post to others, and the dubious nature of the video was mentioned in another post (also, see here). Considering that Loren & Co. are the benchmark in CZ research, Messrs P&T could hardly claim a victory on this one (are they trying to mimic the dubious Project Alpha techniques of their hero Randi?).

If you're on the lookout for that fresh new job, a little different to everyone else, how about this one mentioned over at the Cryptomundo website. MTV have put out a casting call for enthusiastic cryptozoologists to be a part of a new show they are developing:

We are looking for two young Crypto enthusiasts, 18 and older, to host an upcoming fun, hip, and off the wall series that looks inside the world of cryptozoology, creatures, legends, and the people who investigate them. The hosts should be really into cryptozoology, and have an interest or even borderline obsession with undiscovered creatures, mythical beasts, and unclassified species. You should have a unique personality and be comfortable in front of a camera.

I'm so hip I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis, but I'm probably a little old to hang with the MTV crowd (besides, I couldn't handle the segue from a Bigfoot investigation to the latest Britney video). But I bet some of you whippersnappers out there might give it a shot...

The latest issue of the succinctly named North American BioFortean Review is now available freely online (PDF), with features on the Flores 'hobbits', singing worms, and a slew of cryptozoology-related book reviews. Previous issues remain available online, and can be browsed here. Thanks to The Anomalist for uncovering this one.

After garnering worldwide headlines for the past fortnight, the 'Manitoba Bigfoot' was unveiled on U.S. television to...raised eyebrows. After being titled the best footage of a Bigfoot yet taken, the footage shown on A Current Affair turned out to be a blurred long-distance shot of an upright figure walking. Undeterred (or perhaps looking for value for money), ACA has announced an expedition to search for the mysterious figure captured on video. Make your own mind up on how easy it is to earn six figure sums - footage can be viewed at the ACA website.

Respected cryptozoologist Loren Coleman has posted his annual 'Top 10 Cryptozoology Stories' of the year to his website. As would be expected, the Flores 'hobbit' takes top spot, but there are some surprising entries further down the list, including Nicolas Cage's PR work on behalf of the Yeti. Archives of rankings from previous years are also available on the same page.