This October, in the Siberian region of Kemerovo about 2,000 miles east of Moscow, an academic conference on cryptozoology took place. International scientists who study "hidden animals" gathered to take part in an expedition to gather evidence for the existence of the Yeti. The discovery of "footprints, a probable den and various markers that Yetis mark their territory with" led the organisers of the conference to claim they had 95-percent proof of the existence of Yeti.
Not all were convinced: "It was a very awkward feeling because here I was a guest and this was clearly orchestrated," said Idaho State University anthropologist and anatomist Jeffrey Meldrum. And so the hunt for the abominable snowman continues. Whilst failing to come up with enough evidence to convince the scientific community of their existence, it has fuelled a folklore which stretches across Eurasia to the New World.
Kate Bush, well known for her use of folkloric inspiration has for her new album, dedicated a "song of empathy" to the Yeti. In a recent interview, she explained that "mystery has become a more precious thing", and in a sense rather than concluding issues with scientific determinism, we are best to leave questions unanswered. In the song "Wild Man", she eulogises this mystery, and bids the Yeti to hide itself from its human exploiters. I too prefer the idea of a branch of zoology outside the reach of man, perhaps more as a totem against the potential arrogance which comes with understanding. I too prefer the image of a wild man, than of one caged in a zoo, or stuffed in a natural history cabinet, despite my appreciation of both of these.
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