03-09-2005 Do you want to help the monster hunters?

For Immediate Release
3rd September 2005
DO YOU WANT TO HELP THE MONSTER HUNTERS?

Even at the beginning of the 21st Century monsters still roam the remote, and sometimes not so remote, corners of our planet. Believe it or not, each year many new species of animal are discovered, and the world is not as well explored as many people like to think, but monsters?

The Centre for Fortean Zoology (CFZ) which was founded in 1992, is the world’s largest and fastest growing mystery animal research group in the world. Working on strict scientific principles, they have – within the last five years – mounted an impressive list of expeditions in search of bizarre, and often frightening new species of animal.

· Sumatra (2003, 2004). In search of an ape man known to the natives as ‘orang pendek’
· Mongolia (2005). In search of the mysterious Mongolian `Deathworm`
· Puerto Rico (2004). In search of the grotesque vampiric `Chupacabra`
· Thailand (2000). In search of a dragon called the `Naga`


The CFZ also produces an impressive range of publications; a quarterly journal, an annual `yearbook`, and approximately six other books a year. But they have a big problem…

“We are victims of our own success”, says Director, Jonathan Downes (46). “Because we are a registered non-profitmaking organisation, every penny we make goes back into our research. Apart from our office assistant, nobody is paid at all, and because we now have over four hundred members across the world, and because at any time many of the core members of the team are working in the field, the administration and office work is suffering”.

The CFZ are looking for volunteers who can help. Although their office is in rural North Devon, advances in technology mean that volunteers could be anywhere in the world. Are you computer literate and have some time to donate in a good cause? Email Jonathan on jon@eclipse.co.uk He will be delighted to hear from you.

FOR MORE DETAILS CONTACT JON OR GRAHAM ON +44 (0)1237 431413

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

+ The Centre for Fortean Zoology is a non profit-making organisation, which was founded in 1992. Over the last 11 years we have mounted expeditions to Central America, Thailand, Mexico, various parts of the United States, as well as numerous investigations in the UK. Further information on the CFZ can be found on their website www.cfz.org.uk.
+ C F Z director Jonathan Downes has written numerous books on the subject of mystery animals. The latest, entitled `Monster Hunter` is his long awaited autobiography.
+ The honorary life President of the Centre for Fortean Zoology is renowned explorer, author and soldier Colonel John Blashford-Snell OBE, best known for his pioneering Operation Drake and Operation Raleigh expeditions during the 1970s.
+ The CFZ is looking for corporate and private sponsors