Editorial: What is Bigfoot?

Many a debate has started with just this question. Just what is Bigfoot? Is it an ape, is it human, or is it perhaps an amalgamation of the two? The most popular theory is that it is Gigantopithecus Blacki, an extinct species of great ape which allegedly went out in the Pleistocene era, but some think still lives today as our North American Ape. It allegedly crossed the Bering Straits Ice-Bridge into America, following our ancient ancestors. It is a fine theory, no doubt about it, but consider an alternative to this; supposing that actual apes (gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans) were actually brought over on pirate's ships or possibly by the Chinese, whether by design or accident. Really there is no evidence in the fossil record of the Yeti following man across the land-bridge. Does this make this theory less viable? No, but I think the alternate theory makes more sense. These displaced apes probably adapted to bipedal walking, and this is what is seen in the Southern U.S. It is possible that what is seen in the Pacific Northwest is the Yeti. One thing to keep in mind-the tracks found in the PNW are of a large, humanlike type, while the ones found in the South are usually three-toed and four-toed and resemble apes more than humans. Now, I am not saying Bigfoot is human, don't get me wrong, but the tracks of the PNW Bigfoot moreso resemble the Yeti tracks, so obviously someone brought the Yeti over from Asia to America, to the Northwest Coast. To me, in my personal opinion, the Giganto theory makes no sense, because any animal comfortable in their warm, temperate climate with plentiful food is not gonna leave it to walk across the ice fields where food is scarce. And, well, there's that pesky fact that there is no evidence in the fossil record that Giganto migrated to North America. Now, of course, some think it is human, and even try to make their case that it is human, but I am not of that opinion. Those who believe it to be human have the right to that opinion, but I don't go along with it. The reason I do not think it is human is because it doesn't make fire, it builds no permanent housing, it doesn't use tools (other than perhaps a stick or stone) and it doesn't communicate other than with whistles, screams, grunts and growls, much like apes. So to think they are human just because they walk upright is a bit wrong-headed. Now, people have the right to that opinion, but I don't agree with it. I will close with this: "Everything we have on Bigfoot is a theory, it's just that some theories are more popular than others."-Sean Forker