How Does One Become a Cryptozoologist

CFZ Director Jon Downes asks the question: 

How does one become a cryptozoologist?

1. Becoming a cryptozoologist is easy, because there are no professional qualifications in the field. So, in many ways, one becomes a cryptozoologist by simply saying one is.

But, it doesn't end there. There are lots of people who claim to be cryptozoologists, but very few who actually fulfil on these claims. The way that one gets respect and a position within the field is by being scrupulously scientific in one's methodology, and rigorous in what one publishes. My organisation, the Centre for Fortean Zoology, was started 25yrs ago, primarily to encourage a pursuit of excellence within the cryptozoological field.

From your position do you encounter many young people entering the field?

2. We always encourage young people to get involved in cryptozoology and - indeed - a young man from Ohio, Colin Schneider, is currently in the process of starting the 'Next Generation Initiative' which aims to make cryptozoology more interesting and more approachable for younger people.

I personally think it's great when young people decide to get involved, and will always encourage them. We are planning a mentoring scheme as well, which will hopefully guide the next generation of cryptozoologists through some of the pitfalls that await them.

What was the hardest part for you starting out?

3. I have been interested in cryptozoology for the last 50yrs, first discovering the field aged 8 in 1968. I became a professional cryptozoologist almost by accident, because i was made redundant by my mainstream career and decided that i wanted to do something that i considered to be important. The hardest part of this was,of course, being able to make any money out of it. The only ways that one can realistically do this is by writing for magazines, writing books, or working in television. Over the years, I have done all three. However, what is probably equally as difficult is the fact that the field is riddled with people who do not approach the discipline in a scientific manner, preferring to think of it as some sort of branch of paranormal investigation, rather than a branch of mainstream science. The only way that one can overcome this (to a certain degree at least) is by ensuring that one is as rigorous as possible both in carrying out investigations and in the way that the results are presented to the general public.

We have all sorts of investigations that need to be done around the world. So - please - if you are interested in getting involved, do not hesitate to email me at jon@eclipse.co.uk and I will do all that I can do to help.