Centre for Fortean Zoology
From The Book of THoTH (Leaves of Wisdom)
Centre for Fortean Zoology [CFZ] is the only professional, scientific and full-time organisation in the world dedicated to Fortean-Zoology; a portmanteau discipline which includes cryptozoology - the study of unknown animals. Since 1992, when it was founded by British author and cryptozoologist Jonathan Downes, the CFZ has carried out an unparalleled programme of research and investigation all over the world.
Cryptozoology is the study of hidden or unknown animals, and such creatures, belonging to a species wholly or partly unknown to science, are usually collectively referred to as 'cryptids'.
Many researchers, are interested in a related category of mystery animals often termed the 'pseudo-cryptids'. These include animals which are out-of-place: known species which by accident or artificial introduction (or sometimes both) live in a geographical area where one would not normally expect to find them. An example being big cats on British moorlands. However, not all out-of-place animals occur because of human intervention. Others are accidental migrants blown off course by inclement weather or unusual marine currents, and yet more are known species of animal that seem to be dramatically increasing their geographical range.
Other `pseudo-cryptids` include outsized, or oddly coloured individuals or groups of animals of a known species. A good example of this is the golden frogs of the United Kingdom which are the subject of one of the current CFZ research projects.
The third category are zooform phenomena. These are not animals at all, but are entities or apparitions which adopt or seem to have animal or part-animal form. This is where we, at least partly, enter science fiction territory. In many ways, these elusive and contentious entities have plagued the science of cryptozoology since its inception - and tend to be dismissed by mainstream science as thoroughly unworthy of consideration. Zooform phenomena seem to be a mysterious blend of paranormal manifestation and mythological icons. However Jonathan Downes who first coined the term in 1990, also maintains that many zooform phenomena are the result of complex psycho-social and sociological phenomena, and suggests that to condemn all such phenomena as being "paranormal" in origin is counter productive. A good example of a zooform phenomenon is the Owlman of Mawnan.
It is impossible to quantify claims that they are the leading cryptozoological organisation in the world, but they have carried out expeditions to Sumatra (2003 and 2004), Mongolia (2005), Puerto Rico (1998 and 2004), Mexico (1998), Thailand (2000), Florida (1998), Nevada (1999 and 2003), Texas (2003 and 2004), and Illinois (2004), and also have an impressive range of publications to their credit. These include eight issues of the annual CFZ Yearbook and (to date) thirty-six issues of their journal Animals & Men.
