Talk:Yowie (cryptid)

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In a modern context, Yowie is the generic (and somewhat affectionate) term for the unidentified hominid reputed to lurk in the Australian wilderness. It is, in other words, an Australian cryptid analogous to the Himalayan Yeti and the North American Bigfoot. Australian cryptozoologist Rex Gilroy has attempted to popularise the scientific term Gigantopithecus australis for the creature (understandably without support from the Australian scientific community), based on his theory that they comprise a relic population of the extinct ape Gigantopithecus.

Hi

Rex Gilroy did not say the Yowie was gigantopithecus at all, he says it is Homo erectus and that gigantopithecine types are connected to the giant fossil prints he has discovered not fresh homo erectus-aka Yowie prints.

I have a little hypothesis about the Yowie.

I think that it's possible that, at the very least, the aboriginal legends may refer to short faced kangaroo species (Procoptodon, Sthenurus, Simosthenurus). As to the modern reports, perhaps large, rounder-faced kangaroos may be responsible (maybe even late-surviving sthenurine kangaroos). Large varieties of potoroo-like kangaroos could give the mistaken impression of a small hominid. As to the more detailed reports of actual "hominids", that leaves me at an almost complete loss.

Tim

Hi, Tim. Please keep in mind the strictures against Original Research on Wikipedia. Could you provide some references for your theory? Cheers, Drjon 22:39, 19 September 2006 (UTC)