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Geographical Index > United States > Malaysia (International) > Article # 488
Media Article # 488
Thursday, February 23, 2006 [Recent Johor track cast examined]By R. Sittamparam
New Straits Times
THE shape of the giant footprints believed to be that of the Johor Bigfoot discovered near Gunung Panti over the past week shos that that the creature could be a swamp dweller.
The splayed toes as compared to joined toes of the Sasquatch (Bigfoot) of America could imply that the Johor Bigfoot had evolved separately to adapt to the wet and muddy conditions of swamps and river banks of Malaysia.
Universiti Putra Malaysia's Animal Science Department head Dr Azhar Kasim said the creature, obviously being bulky and heavy, required a large and widely spread foot to move about in the soft ground of the Malaysian rainforest.
He was asked to comment on the plaster cast of a large footprint believed to be that of the Johor Bigfoot that was found by a team of local and foreign media and researchers at the Panti foothills on Monday.
BIGFOOT PRINTSWAMP DWELLER: Notice the splayed toes as indicated in this plaster cast of the giant footprint - pictures courtesy of Vincent Chow
Dr Azhar said the foot formation of the gigantic creature which was seen to be basically a land dweller, was consistent with the areas where the footprints were found, at river banks and muddy spots.
Commenting on yesterday's find of mysterious clearings in the secondary forest area close to where the Bigfoot footprints were, Dr Azhar said it was common animal behaviour to keep its nesting area open and clear.
"This will enable the animal to easily escape when faced with any threats. However in this case there is no nest in the area."
Dr Azhar said another logical explanation could be that the area served as a courtship space for mating couples.
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