Sasquatch or Wild Lookalike? Study Finds 'Significant Link' Between Bigfoot Sightings and This Animal

A recent study suggests that people who say they have encountered a "sasquatch" in the wild may have actually witnessed a less mysterious creature.

Researchers reached this conclusion by correlating black bear populations with reported sightings of the legendary ape-like figure in North America.

Published in the Journal of Zoology recently, the study argues that "the black bear may be responsible for a significant number of purported sightings of an alleged unknown species of hominid in North America," commonly referred to as "sasquatch" or "Bigfoot."

Through an analysis of documented sightings and black bear populations in the United States and Canada, researchers discovered an average of 5,000 bears per reported sasquatch sighting.

Furthermore, the study found a 4% increase in reported Bigfoot sightings for every additional 1,000 bears in the wild. This led the researchers to conclude that there is a "significant link" between black bear populations and sasquatch sightings, suggesting that many supposed encounters might be “misidentified known forms.”

The study emphasizes, "If Bigfoot is there, it could be a bear."

While previous research had identified a similar association limited to the Pacific Northwest, where sightings are most common, the current study broadens the scope to include various regions where black bears are prevalent.

Black bears are found in forests and mountains across the Pacific Northwest, Canada, Alaska, the Rocky Mountains, the upper Midwest, parts of the southern U.S., the Appalachian Mountains and as far south as Mexico, according to the National Park Service.

These animals often traverse man-made trails, logging roads and game routes.

Descriptions of sasquatch by those who claim to have seen the creature include a "large, upright ape" or a "hairy human, sometimes standing over eight feet tall" with a "powerfully built" physique, as stated by the Washington National Guard (WNG).

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Reports of sasquatch sightings date back to the late 1800s, with footprints, sporadic encounters and occasional photos and videos contributing to the mystery.

In October 2023, Front Page Detectives reported an alleged sasquatch sighting in Colorado. A couple, Shannon and Stetson Parker, shared video and photos on Facebook showing a tall, furry figure walking upright along a railroad from Durango to Silverton. Despite the ongoing debate and research surrounding the existence of Bigfoot, the WNG notes the existence of organizations dedicated to studying and documenting the elusive creature.