How to Preserve Bigfoot or
Saquatch Scat By David
Claerr July 17, 2010 |
Courtesy
Bobbie Short |
Two Methods for Safe, Long-term Storage of Scat Samples from Bigfoot,
Sasquatch or Skunk Ape One of the common criticisms of Bigfoot/Sasquatch research by
professionals in the scientific community is the lack of specimens of scat or
fecal material from the creatures. This is a valid point: from scat samples
the In the course of researching Bigfoot or Sasquatch here in Following are presented two methods for preserving scat, one simple
and inexpensive, the other more involved and using somewhat more expensive
materials. The first method uses readily available, common materials, and is
based on methods used to collect bear scat for analysis. The second method was obtained directly from a professional biologist
employed at one of the world's premier institutes for primate studies, who
generously responded to my request. The method is employed to gather
specimens for DNA extraction and genetic sequencing of primates. It was
instumental in the scientific classification of the recently discovered
"Giant Chimpanzees" (gorilla-sized) in the African Congo. The first method is as follows: Purchase some Denatured Alcohol, which is available in quarts or
gallons at just about any hardware store. Denatured Alcohol is about 95%
ethyl alcohol, with a few additives. Next, get a glass jar big enough for a
cross-section of the scat- a canning jar is probably about the right size and
will give you a good seal. A well-washed-out mayonnaise or peanut butter jar,
sterilized by boiling water, will work as well. (Make sure you always wear
plastic medical gloves when handling the materials or the scat.) Use wooden
tongue depressors, which you can purchase at drugstores, to divide and/or
pick up the samples. (They are sterile and DNA-free) Otherwise, a pair of
sticks will do, just dip them into the alcohol first. Place the scat sample in the jar and then slowly pour in the alcohol
until it is covered. If it floats up a little, that is acceptable. Then cover
the jar and let it set overnight. The next morning, pour out about half the
alcohol and then secure the lid back on tightly. This will preserve the
contents indefinitely, although the DNA will very slowly degrade. I would
recommend keeping a few filled jars like this for any samples: nails,
tissues, hair, etc. The following is the second method used by many professional
biologists for their field research. This is a two-step process, not
difficult if you can get the materials. The materials are usually stocked in medical supply houses and by
scientific equipment suppliers. If you don't have access to them in your
area, another option is to order them on-line- (links are included in the
Resource section below.) They tend to be a bit more expensive. You need two tubes or vials for each specimen. Biologists often use
50ml centrifuge tubes which are about 1 1/4 inch in diameter and are 4 or Wooden tongue-depressors are recommended to cut and handle the scat-
they are disposable and sterile. You will also need a piece of facial tissue
or paper towel. Use clean tweezers or fresh tongue depressors to handle the
paper. Here is the two-step process: Next, add a ball of scat about 1-inch in diameter. Cap the tube and let it set overnight. Step 2: Place a piece of paper towel or facial tissue the width of the tube,
on top of the silica gel inside the tube. Then loosen the cap of the ethanol-filled tube to a small crack,
enough to slowly pour off the ethanol, on to the ground. If you lose a bit of
dissolved scat, that is acceptable. Place the ball of scat on top of the paper inside the tube that has the Silica Gel. Cap the tube and store it in an upright position. That's it, you're done. The Silica absorbs fluids and moisture, leaving a fairly dry and
well-preserved specimen. Of course, the fresher the scat, the more likely it
is that DNA can be recovered. Refer to the links in the resource section below for purchasing the
materials online. Resources: |