Florida Skunk Ape Captured ... On Video
It’s been a Florida legend for years, but for the first time, a home video has captured the elusive so-called skunk ape. The skunk ape is a Bigfoot like creature that’s indigenous to the Everglades.[Original headline: Mysterious “skunk ape” caught on home video]
Researcher David Shealy is the one who captured the alleged skunk ape on home video. Shealy has been tracking the mysterious creature for years.
“Well, there are people that don’t believe,” he said, “and that just amazes me.”
Now, Shealy might have some proof to backup his claim.
“At first I thought it was a bear,” Shealy said, while describing the video he shot. “And then it was very obvious as I zoomed in that it wasn’t a bear at all, it had to be a skunk ape.”
This is the very first time the skunk ape has been caught on video.
“I knew that history was being made. I stayed calm, I tried to keep quiet and get as much footage as I could,” Shealy said.
In an effort to try and authenticate the video, NBC2 News talked with Vince Door to get advice. Door captured the last known sighting of the skunk ape with a camera in 1997.
“Visually, it looks the same shape or style that I’ve seen,” he said. “It’s very hard to say, ya know, is it a real situation or is it just somebody playing games?”
Door says he’s not really sure what to believe, so NBC2 News went back to Shealy and asked if this indeed was real.
“It seems like it’s more a mission to defend myself more than anything,” he said.
• Story originally published by • Note: The web site of NBC News2 carries a 1min 53 sec interview with Shealy and includes some of the video footage [apparently filmed July 8] of the alleged skunk ape. The ape, or bear [?] appears remarkably similar to the creature Shealy photographed in a 1998 encounter. Click on link above to visit page [this may be deleted by station eventually] G¬
NBC News2 / Ft.Myers / FL | By Anna Tataris - July 9 2000
For earlier stories on the Florida Skunk Ape see: Florida Skunk Ape Funding Voted Down
Funding for Everglades Bigfoot Research
Skunk Ape researcher Closes Ochopee Campground
Florida's Skunk Ape -- New Photo's
Comedy Central Tracks Elusive Skunk Ape
7ft Florida Swamp Creature Sought
