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Did Yeti Relics Turn Out to Be Bears?

DNA tests on alleged yeti relics mostly pointed to Himalayan and Tibetan bears, not an unknown ape.

On this page

  • What kinds of relics were tested
  • How bear DNA explained the specimens
  • What the results taught about regional bears
Preview for Did Yeti Relics Turn Out to Be Bears?

Introduction

The strongest genetic evidence ever gathered from alleged yeti relics has not pointed to an unknown ape, surviving hominin, or undiscovered Himalayan mammal. Instead, DNA studies of purported yeti hair, bones, teeth, skin fragments and faecal samples have repeatedly identified known bear species from the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau. The most influential investigations transformed a long-running cryptozoological question into a testable biological one: what animal actually produced the relics preserved in monasteries, museums and private collections? The answer, in nearly every well-documented case, was a regional bear.[Royal Society Publishing]royalsocietypublishing.orgRoyal Society PublishingEvolutionary history of enigmatic bears in the Tibetan Plateau…Nov 29, 2017 — Recently, two purported yeti sam…Yeti Relics illustration 1 These findings did more than challenge yeti claims. They also provided new information about the evolutionary history of Himalayan and Tibetan bears, showing how cryptid-labelled specimens can contribute to mainstream zoological research when chain of custody and laboratory methods are carefully documented.[Royal Society Publishing]royalsocietypublishing.orgRoyal Society PublishingEvolutionary history of enigmatic bears in the Tibetan Plateau…Nov 29, 2017 — Recently, two purported yeti sam…

What Kinds of Relics Were Tested?

For decades, alleged yeti evidence included a wide variety of biological materials collected across Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and northern India. These relics ranged from loose hairs and skin fragments to bones, teeth and preserved body parts displayed as cultural or religious objects.

Yeti Is Real, DNA Proves It, Claims Scientist Bryan Sykes

Channel: ABC News

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How Bear DNA Explained the Specimens

The clearest result emerged from the 2017 study led by Charlotte Lindqvist and colleagues. Of nine purported yeti specimens, eight were identified as bears native to the Himalayan region. The remaining specimen proved to be from a dog. No sample required the existence of an unknown primate or other undiscovered large mammal.[Royal Society Publishing+2ScienceDaily]royalsocietypublishing.orgRoyal Society PublishingEvolutionary history of enigmatic bears in the Tibetan Plateau…Nov 29, 2017 — Recently, two purported yeti sam…

The bear identifications included:

  • Himalayan brown bear.[buffalo.edu]buffalo.edulindqvist yeti bearsUniversity at BuffaloStudy ties DNA samples from purported yetis to Asian bearsNov 29, 2017 — A new study led by UB biologist Charlotte L… * Tibetan brown bear.[royalsocietypublishing.org]royalsocietypublishing.orgRoyal Society PublishingEvolutionary history of enigmatic bears in the Tibetan Plateau…Nov 29, 2017 — Recently, two purported yeti sam… * Asian black bear.[facebook.com]facebook.combrown bears, and Tibetan brown bears, while one came from a…Read more…
  • Other closely related regional bear lineages.[Los Angeles Times]latimes.comla sci sn yeti bears dna 20171129 storyLos Angeles TimesDNA analysis solves the 'yeti' mystery: They're bearsNov 29, 2017 — After analyzing the DNA of nine purported yeti speci…

Researchers concluded that the biological basis of many yeti traditions could plausibly lie in encounters with local bears. This interpretation fits several longstanding observations. Himalayan bears can stand upright, leave unusual tracks in snow, appear unexpectedly in poor visibility, and vary considerably in colour and size. At a distance, especially under harsh mountain conditions, such animals could contribute to reports of a mysterious human-like creature.[Nanyang Technological University+2National Geographic]www3.ntu.edu.sgNewAtlas 171129 DNA tests on Yeti hair and bone samples bear resultsNanyang Technological UniversityDNA tests on "Yeti" hair and bone samples bear resultsNov 29, 2017 — "Our findings strongly suggest that…

Importantly, the DNA findings did not merely show that some relics were bears. They showed that every tested specimen in the best-documented dataset could be explained by known animals, removing the need to invoke an unidentified species for those particular relics.[Royal Society Publishing]royalsocietypublishing.orgRoyal Society PublishingEvolutionary history of enigmatic bears in the Tibetan Plateau…Nov 29, 2017 — Recently, two purported yeti sam…Yeti Relics illustration 2

The Earlier “Polar Bear” Surprise

Before the 2017 results, one set of samples briefly attracted international attention because they appeared to match an ancient polar bear lineage.

Is the Yeti just...a bear?

Channel: 11Alive

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What the Results Taught About Regional Bears

One of the most interesting outcomes of the yeti investigations had little to do with cryptozoology itself. The research provided new insight into poorly studied bear populations living in some of the world’s most remote mountain environments.

Genetic analysis showed that Himalayan brown bears represent a distinctive lineage with a long evolutionary history. Their ancestors appear to have become isolated from other brown bear populations during ancient glacial periods, allowing them to follow a separate evolutionary path. Tibetan brown bears showed different relationships, linking them more closely to other Eurasian and North American brown bear populations.[Royal Society Publishing]royalsocietypublishing.orgRoyal Society PublishingEvolutionary history of enigmatic bears in the Tibetan Plateau…Nov 29, 2017 — Recently, two purported yeti sam…

Because these bears inhabit rugged terrain and often exist in small, vulnerable populations, genetic data from unusual collections and museum specimens can be scientifically valuable. Researchers noted that the same specimens once promoted as evidence of a cryptid helped clarify the history and conservation significance of real animals.[Royal Society]royalsociety.orgmysteries of the yetiRoyal SocietyMysteries of the yetiNov 29, 2017 — Our study helps placing these bear populations in a global perspective, e.g., they appea…

The studies also highlighted how folklore and zoology can intersect. Local traditions describing mysterious mountain creatures may preserve observations of rare wildlife, even when the traditional interpretation differs from the biological explanation eventually uncovered by DNA analysis.[Nanyang Technological University]www3.ntu.edu.sgNewAtlas 171129 DNA tests on Yeti hair and bone samples bear resultsNanyang Technological UniversityDNA tests on "Yeti" hair and bone samples bear resultsNov 29, 2017 — "Our findings strongly suggest that…Yeti Relics illustration 3

What Yeti Relic Testing Demonstrates About Cryptid Evidence

The yeti DNA investigations are among the clearest examples of how biological evidence can be evaluated in cryptozoology. Rather than relying on eyewitness accounts or ambiguous photographs, researchers examined physical specimens that could be independently tested.

The DNA Results Are Finally In

Channel: Astrum Earth

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Endnotes

1. Source: buffalo.edu
Title: lindqvist yeti bears
Link:https://www.buffalo.edu/ubnow/stories/2017/11/lindqvist-yeti-bears.html

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>University at BuffaloStudy ties DNA samples from purported yetis to Asian bearsNov 29, 2017 — A new study led by UB biologist Charlotte L…</p>

2. Source: sciencedaily.com
Link:https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171128230404.htm

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Study ties DNA samples from purported Yetis to Asian bearsNov 28, 2017 — Royal Society B, analyzed nine "Yeti" specimens, inc…</p>

3. Source: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Title: PMCHimalayan’yeti’ DNA: polar bear or DNA degradation
Link:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4298200/

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>by CJ Edwards · 2015 · Cited by 6 — The authors claim that these samples have the closest genetic affinity to a Palaeolithic polar bea…</p>

4. Source: royal.uk
Link:https://www.royal.uk/

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>The official website of the Royal Family | The Royal FamilyAs Their Majesties' Coronation draws closer, read on for 100 fun facts about T…</p>

5. Source: royalsocietypublishing.org
Link:https://royalsocietypublishing.org/rspb/article/284/1868/20171804/78775/Evolutionary-history-of-enigmatic-bears-in-the

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Royal Society PublishingEvolutionary history of enigmatic bears in the Tibetan Plateau…Nov 29, 2017 — Recently, two purported yeti sam…</p>

6. Source: royalsociety.org
Title: mysteries of the yeti
Link:https://royalsociety.org/blog/2017/11/mysteries-of-the-yeti/

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Royal SocietyMysteries of the yetiNov 29, 2017 — Our study helps placing these bear populations in a global perspective, e.g., they appea…</p>

7. Source: abc.net.au
Title: yeti dna genetics brown black bears dog evolution
Link:https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2017-11-29/yeti-dna-genetics-brown-black-bears-dog-evolution/9197266

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Yeti remains revealed to be … brown bear and dogNov 29, 2017 — Nine pieces of 'Yeti', including scraps of skin, hair and bone collected i…</p>

8. Source: latimes.com
Title: la sci sn yeti bears dna 20171129 story
Link:https://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-yeti-bears-dna-20171129-story.html

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Los Angeles TimesDNA analysis solves the 'yeti' mystery: They're bearsNov 29, 2017 — After analyzing the DNA of nine purported yeti speci…</p>

9. Source: www3.ntu.edu.sg
Title: NewAtlas 171129 DNA tests on Yeti hair and bone samples bear results
Link:https://www3.ntu.edu.sg/CorpComms2/Documents/2017/11_Nov/NewAtlas_171129_DNA%20tests%20on%20Yeti%20hair%20and%20bone%20samples%20bear%20results.pdf

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Nanyang Technological UniversityDNA tests on "Yeti" hair and bone samples bear resultsNov 29, 2017 — "Our findings strongly suggest that…</p>

10. Source: nationalgeographic.com
Title: yeti legends real animals dna bears himalaya science
Link:https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/yeti-legends-real-animals-dna-bears-himalaya-science

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Yeti Legends Are Based on These Real Animals, DNA…29 Nov 2017 — “This study clearly confirms that the Yeti samples tested are actually…</p>

11. Source: royalsocietypublishing.org
Link:https://royalsocietypublishing.org/rspb/article/281/1789/20140161/77194/Genetic-analysis-of-hair-samples-attributed-to

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Royal Society PublishingGenetic analysis of hair samples attributed to yeti, bigfoot and…by BC Sykes · 2014 · Cited by 49 — Two Himala…</p>

12. Source: news.sky.com
Title: yeti may be a big brown bear dna tests reveal 10431247
Link:https://news.sky.com/story/yeti-may-be-a-big-brown-bear-dna-tests-reveal-10431247

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Sky NewsYeti May Be A Big Brown Bear, DNA Tests Reveal17 Oct 2013 — Tests found a genetic match with an ancient polar bear, with research…</p>

13. Source: eprints.hud.ac.uk
Title: University of Huddersfield Himalayan’yeti’ DNA: polar bear or DNA degradation?
Link:https://eprints.hud.ac.uk/id/eprint/24881/

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>CJ Edwards · 2014 · Cited by 6 — Himalayan 'yeti' DNA: polar bear or DNA degradation? A comment on 'Genetic analysis of hair samp…</p>

14. Source: academia.edu
Title: polar bear or DNA degradation?
Link:https://www.academia.edu/9822092/Himalayan_yeti_DNA_polar_bear_or_DNA_degradation_A_comment_on_Genetic_analysis_of_hair_samples_attributed_to_yeti_by_Sykes_et_al_2014_

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>A comment on 'Genetic…Sykes et al. claimed a 100% match with a Pleistocene polar bear, but this was incorrect. Hair samples actually a…</p>

15. Source: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Link:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29187630/

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Evolutionary history of enigmatic bears in the Tibetan…by T Lan · 2017 · Cited by 66 — Two purported yeti samples from the Himal…</p>

16. Source: sci.news
Link:https://www.sci.news/genetics/science-bigfoot-yeti-hair-samples-match-dna-paleolithic-polar-bear-known-mammals-02044.html

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Bigfoot, Yeti? Hair Samples Match DNA from Paleolithic…7 Jul 2014 — None of the samples matched primates, except for one human hair. M…</p>

17. Source: researchgate.net
Title: Himalayan’yeti’ DNA: Polar bear or DNA degradation?
Link:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269695589Himalayan%27yeti%27DNA_Polar_bear_or_DNA_degradation_A_comment_on%27Genetic_analysis_of_hair_samples_attributed_to_Yeti%27_by_Sykes_et_al_2014

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>'yeti' DNA: Polar bear or DNA degradation? A comment on 'Genetic analysis of hair samples attributed to Yeti' by Sykes et…</p>

Additional References

18. Source: wired.com
Link:https://www.wired.com/story/yeti-bear-legend-dna-analysis-myth

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Un estudio genético de nueve muestras, que incluían patas, cueros cabelludos, huesos y excrementos cuidadosamente preservados en monaster…</p>

19. Source: princess.com
Link:https://www.princess.com/blog/video/cruise-ships/rp-royal-princess

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Royal PrincessSail aboard Royal Princess for welcoming spaces, attentive service, world class dining, and retail shopping. Enjoy our Lotu…</p>

20. Source: merriam-webster.com
Link:https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/royal

21. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/c/RoyalCaribbean

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Royal CaribbeanRoyal Caribbean's official channel and your source for Royal Caribbean's exclusive cruise content. Subscribe to Royal Cari…</p>

22. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzYLGWudaLI

23. Source: theguardian.com
Title: dna sampling exposes nine yeti specimens as eight bears and a dog
Link:https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/nov/29/dna-sampling-exposes-nine-yeti-specimens-as-eight-bears-and-a-dog

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>DNA sampling exposes nine 'yeti specimens' as eight…29 Nov 2017 — “The purported yetis from the Tibetan plateau matched Tibetan brown…</p>

24. Source: facebook.com
Link:https://www.facebook.com/sanewschannel/posts/the-legendary-yeti-mystery-finally-solved-through-comprehensive-dna-analysis-of-/1311558850997040/

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>brown bears, and Tibetan brown bears, while one came from a…Read more…</p>

25. Source: aau.edu
Title: abominable snowman was probably bear new study
Link:https://www.aau.edu/research-scholarship/featured-research-topics/abominable-snowman-was-probably-bear-new-study

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>The Abominable Snowman Was Probably a Bear, New…Nov 30, 2017 — A new DNA study of purported Abominable Snowman remains from museums an…</p>

26. Source: cruises.com
Link:https://www.cruises.com/promotion/royal-caribbean-cruises.do?c=44

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>eriences, world-class dining, stunning destinations, and exclusive…</p>

27. Source: earthsky.org
Title: yetis abominable snowman dna evidence
Link:https://earthsky.org/earth/yetis-abominable-snowman-dna-evidence/

<summary>Source snippet</summary><p>Yetis? Nope. DNA study says bears | EarthDec 4, 2017 — The research, published November 29, 2017 in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, a…</p>
Published: November 29, 2017

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