Ontario Cryptozoology. an abandoned blog. I could not find it continued somewhere else. But, it might have become larger, focusing on all of Canada. This site only had two posts about the topic, others were about forming a group.

Monday, June 16, 2008 Igopogo

Everyones heard the story of there being a creature that lives in Lake Simcoe. Most descriptions of said creature state that its about 12 feet in length, has a long neck, and a head resembling that of a dog. A few descriptions also claim that it has fins.

Not too many pictures around of this creature, however floating around somewhere is a video that has been seen by some very big names. The most I can find on this video is a description so here it is. "According to the unnamed videographer, while a friend was preparing for a hydroplane race, he suffered a mechanical breakdown and was forced to pause for repairs near the south end of the lake. As the racer lifted the engine hatch in order to assess the damage, a large animal suddenly surfaced directly in front of him - stunning the racer as well as the spectators on the shoreline. The viewers began to panic as the creature slowly lowered its head into the water. It continued to stare at the racer before disappearing completely"

any thoughts?

Tuesday, July 8, 2008 Lake Erie Monster

Since August of 2001, an unknown, aquatic predator has been savagely attacking swimmers - especially those unlucky enough to go swimming off the Pump House beach, near Port Dover, Ontario. In a span of less that 24 hours - no less than three people were bitten by a large, unseen animal.

Dr. Harold Hynscht treated three patients recently who suffered major bites on their legs after swimming in Lake Erie beside the Port Dover pump house. All were in about a meter of water when the attacks occurred. Hynscht, a diver with extensive knowledge of aquatic life, is at a loss to identify the animal that caused them. The bites were not minor. Six inches separated the wounds inflicted by the top and bottom teeth, suggesting the animal has a large mouth.

It wasn't long before rumors began to spread through Port Dover and its neighbouring communities, regarding the source of these vicious attacks. Wildly speculative theories from a rogue school of piranhas, which may have been released into the wild after they grew too big for their owner's aquarium, to a baby nessie-like creature which may have been swimming closer to shore in search of prey. Other researchers have suggest that the animals may be similar to the eel-like cryptids which allegedly haunt Newfoundland's Crescent Lake.

In Simcoe County the most famous cryptid is without question the sea serpent said to be swimming the waters of Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching: Igopogo.

The name Igopogo is said to be inspired by the slightly more famous “Ogopogo”, a similar sea serpent native to Okanogan Lake in British Columbia. Igopogo is also known as “Kempenfelt Kelly” or “Beaverton Bessie”, depending on where they are seen. Sightings of the creature date back to at least the 1860s with first and second-hand accounts often describing a large, serpentine creature measuring anywhere from 6 to 15 meters in length. Its body is noted to be dark, and it is said to move in a snake-like manner just below the surface of the water. Some sightings even describe the long neck and head of the creature breaking the water’s surface. Eyewitnesses are often boaters, anglers, or local residents who catch a glimpse of the beast while enjoying time on the lakes.

One of the more recent sightings of Igopogo took place near Jackson’s Point on Lake Simcoe. Bradford resident Neil Lathangue and his family saw the creature while boating. This encounter made headlines across the county in the summer of 1963:

Although stories of Igopogo have always been popular with locals, skeptics often dismiss the sightings as misidentifications of common animals native to the lakes. Lake Simcoe is home to several species of large fish including the lake sturgeon, Canada’s largest freshwater fish. Lake sturgeon can grow up to 2 metres long and weigh over 180kg. They have a ridged back which gives them an almost pre-historic look. Although once numerous in Simcoe County, the lake sturgeon is now an endangered species and fishing for them is highly illegal. Given their size, appearance, and former presence in the area they have been cited as a possible explanation for the Igopogo sightings of the past.

Source: Simcoe Country Cryptids

Few people haven't heard and considered an opinion about the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland. So far there isn't any concrete evidence, not enough that I fully believe there is something in that very deep lake. But, I don't not believe either. After all, why couldn't there be something not yet found or not yet proved.

What about all the lakes in Ontario? What might be in those lakes, other than the usual fish and plant life.

Fast forward a couple of years to 2010. Brian Smith of Indiana was in Olcott filming the Lake Ontario Pro-Am Salmon Team Tournament Series for his program “Angling the Great Lakes.” After filming out of Wilson and Olcott, it was time to relax at the cabin he was staying at in Olcott. It was going to be a beautiful sunset as he sipped on a beverage in the back yard, next to the lake. There was no wind. As he looked to the north, he could see a small wake being made by something in the water. He spotted a serpent-like head sticking up with a long body trailing as it maneuvered through the water. Whatever it was, it was more than 10 feet in length. It took a moment to register as he wondered what the heck it was. ...

As he told the story while visiting with communities along the lake, there was one secondhand account that was told when he was in Oswego. Apparently, there was a diver who was inspecting large water intakes off a power plant there – a task that must be performed regularly. On one inspection, the diver witnessed something too scary to describe. A huge creature that startled him and created a personal panic. He vowed never to enter the waters of Lake Ontario again with his scuba gear on.Could there be unexplained animals lurking in Lake Ontario? It does have direct access to the ocean through the St. Lawrence Seaway and through the Hudson River and the Erie Canal.

Source: What lurks beneath the waters of Lake Ontario? - Outdoornews

Rogue taxidermy is the mixed media art of using stuffed and mounted animals which do not have real animal counterparts. Rogue taxidermy is mix and match (with accessories added) to create an artistic rendering of obscure, weird, creepy, mutant, and unique creatures to be put on display.

Many taxidermists do not consider this true taxidermy.

Taxidermy itself isn't for everyone. When it comes to rogue taxidermy especialy, there will be people who get squeamish and don't want to look and there will be people who get curious and just have to look. Then there are the people who think the more hideous the creations are the better they are.

The showmanship of oddities, mutation natural adaptation and displays of curiosity through use of taxidermy with animals. A creepy and odd hobby to some. Dark humour to others. Then there are those who just like to collect them and put them on display.

Beast Blender - where you can create your own curious creation.

If you aren't grossed out by some of the weirder creations... think about it. What if you could create an animal. I think this is part of the attraction of rogue taxidermy. Turning a slow, plodding animal like a turtle into a flying creature with light, colourful wings to take it to new heights and let it become something new, more than it was or could ever have been naturally.

In your mind, combine elements, features and parts of various animals and come up with a new creation, something better than the original version. Or, a creation which shows a sense of humour, like pigs that could fly.

The Legend of the Jackalope

What may be the most famous creation with rogue taxidermy is the jackalope.

According to legend and lore, the jackalope is the product of a male jackrabbit and a female antelope.Thought to be extinct, there are still reports of jackalope sightings. Jackalopes were known to be aggressive, often called the "warrior rabbit", using its antlers to fight.

Jackalopes were said to love music. They could mimic human sounds and noises and would sing along with the cowboys around the camp fires at night.

Jackalopes aren't a real animal, at least not so far. It's thought jackalopes were actual, real rabbits which had a mutation or virus causing bumps to appear on their heads. This could have appeared like antlers from a distance. Up close it would have been a simple explanation for the mystery of the weird looking rabbit.

Jackalopes became a legend as people began to produce "real" jackalopes to impress friends, create stories and generally enjoy tricking anyone who didn't already know the jackalope myth. Using a rabbit body and attaching deer or antelope antlers, people would show off their creation. Some jackalopes were given the bonus of a pheasant tail. Those were the extra fancy warrior bunnies.

Rogue Taxidermy Groups

• La Luz de Jesus Presents Rogue Taxidermy 2012

• Minnesota Association of Rogue Taxidermy [MART]

A Few Rogue Taxidermists

• Angela Singer

• Custom Creature Taxidermy - Sarina Brewer

• Afterlife Anatomy - Katie Innamorato

Links for Finding More

• Rogue taxidermist in the Netherlands - Boing Boing

• Rogue Taxidermy | Pinterest

• Art - Rogue Taxidermy | Pinterest

• Flickr: Crappy Taxidermy

• Flickr: Bad Taxidermy

• Rogue Taxidermy | Tumblr

• The Rogue Taxidermist: The Quantum Biologist

• Crappy Taxidermy

• Taxidermy - Wikipedia

• Taxidermy Net