Apes Among Us

Latest Episodes:

Apes Among Us Episode 17: A Conversation With Alton Higgins Part 2 Apr 26, 2024

Join hosts Paul and James for Part 2 of an in-depth conversation with Alton Higgins, the Patriarch of the NAWAC. We discuss a wide range of topics from Alton's background, his introduction to the topic of Bigfoot, and his many adventures in the field chasing this elusive animal with the NAWAC.

Apes Among Us Episode 16: A Conversation With Alton Higgins Part 1 Apr 19, 2024

In this long overdue episode, join hosts Paul and James for Part 1 of an in-depth conversation with Alton Higgins, the Patriarch of the NAWAC. We discuss a wide range of topics from Alton's background, his introduction to the topic of Bigfoot, and his many adventures in the field chasing this elusive animal with the NAWAC.

Planet of the Mystery Apes, Chapter 2: Asia’s Almasty Feb 27, 2022

In a region that was once the running grounds of the Mongol hordes, khans, and warlords, stretching from the Caucasus to Mongolia and the borders of China, there in remote corners supposedly resides an enigmatic, wild, man-like species, generally known as "Almasty." Join hosts Matt Pruitt and Daryl Colyer as they interview archaeologist Paul Bowman, Jr. for a fascinating discussion about the Almasty, Asia's mystery ape.

Musings: Technology, Science, and the Pursuit Aug 04, 2021

Hosts Daryl Colyer and Matt Pruitt have a one-on-one conversation that covers a range of topics related to the NAWAC and its efforts, including: the conclusion of the 2021 summer operation in Area X; applying conventional wildlife photography practices to the pursuit of the wood ape; the value of images; visual acuity in apes; testing the hominoid hypothesis; type I and type II errors; and why the pursuit matters.

Exploring Alternative Paths to Discovery Dec 27, 2020

Hosts Matt Pruitt and Daryl Colyer explore various alternatives to specimen collection in this new episode. A few updates regarding the summer operation and Hadrian's Wall are covered in the introduction, followed by a discussion with NAWAC member and professional archaeologist Paul Bowman Jr. about the likelihood of finding the bones of a wood ape. A roundtable segment follows, focused on the tranquilization or sedation of a wood ape. The roundtable features NAWAC members Travis Lawrence, Paul Bowman Jr., and Oklahoma-based veterinarian Jeff Hammond.

Hadrian's Wall: An Area X Update Jul 20, 2020

In this episode, join Matt and Daryl for an update on the North American Wood Ape Conservancy's field work in Area X. Guests include NAWAC Chairman Mike Mayes and Bud Mellicker, who have just returned from deploying an extensive camera-trap array dubbed "Hadrian's Wall" by the NAWAC. Also, Dusty Haithcoat returns, along with his friend Ashlee, to talk about their visual encounter with a big gray sasquatch on the periphery of our base camp at the end of May.

Planet of the Mystery Apes, Chapter 1: South Africa’s Otang Apr 01, 2020

In this episode, host Matt Pruitt speaks with acclaimed South African wildlife researcher and author Gareth Patterson about his groundbreaking work with lions, elephants, and his recently revealed years of research into an as-yet-unstudied hominoid called the otang. This is the first installment of a new series on Apes Among Us called “The Planet of the Mystery Apes”.

Gareth’s new book about the otang — Beyond The Secret Elephants — is available in Kindle format at Amazon. Read more about Gareth at his website, garethpatterson.com

Variance: 2019 Field Operation Recap Mar 03, 2020

Join hosts Brandon, Matt, and Brian for their recap of the NAWAC’s 2019 summer field study, Operation Variance. While at the NAWAC’s Annual Strategic Retreat in February, the guys talked to a number of NAWAC members who had notable wood ape encounters. NAWAC Chairman Mike Mayes joins for an engaging Roundtable discussion. Also, Brian talks with NAWAC Board Member Ed Harrison about the approach the group will be taking in 2020, utilizing new technological resources.

2020 Training Camp Feb 18, 2020

Join hosts Brandon Lentz and Matt Pruitt in this episode of Apes Among Us for an exclusive inside look at how the NAWAC trains its citizen-scientist members. Lentz and Pruitt go onsite at the NAWAC’s 2020 Training Camp for discussions with and perspectives from new recruits and NAWAC veterans as well.

From the Archives: Persistence in Area X Jan 02, 2020

Go back in time with Brian Brown in this remixed, remastered nostalgic episode from the Bigfoot Show, originally recorded in August 2012, as he interviewed NAWAC (then TBRC) members who had just wrapped up their 2012 summer field study, Operation Persistence, the second such field study as part of the long-term Ouachita Project. AAU co-hosts Matt Pruitt and Brandon Lentz provide some input from a 2019 perspective.

November Team — A week in Area X Nov 25, 2019

On this episode of Apes Among Us, hosts Brandon Lentz and Brian Brown take you on a journey to a valley deep in the Ouachita Mountain Ecoregion designated “Area X” by the NAWAC. The men — as part of “November” team and along with two other team mates — spent a week there this past summer. It was a week that was at once extraordinary but also mundane; that is, extraordinary by anyone’s standards, but mundane by Area X standards. You'll hear the details of two likely visual encounters with wood apes as well as the investigation of a possible wood ape photo taken from space(!). Also, Matt Pruitt and NAWAC Director Emeritus Alton Higgins discuss the history and genesis of NAWAC field work in the valley, which, nearly two decades later, led directly to the week spent there by the four-man November team. Just one more week and four more men, in a long line of both.

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Images mentioned in this episode:

Size comparison of Brian Brown (6', 210 lbs) to the animal seen by November team member Rich from his perspective

Google Earth image with possible wood ape (detail)

Citizen Scientists Oct 30, 2019

In Episode 6 of Apes Among Us, entitled “Citizen Scientists,” hosts Matt Pruitt, Brandon Lentz, and Brian Brown discuss with NAWAC Chairman Michael Mayes and other NAWAC members their experiences, observations, and contributions as citizen scientists—individuals without formal scientific training who collect data to advance the cause of science. Wildlife biologist Angelo Capparella also returns to Apes Among Us to provide input regarding citizen science from the perspective of a professional scientist. In the spirit of citizen science, Brandon talks to Kim Wheeler of the Red Wolf Coalition about some unidentified canid vocalizations collected by the NAWAC in September 2018.

Shades of Gray Sep 18, 2019

On this episode of Apes Among Us, hosts Brandon Lentz, Matt Pruitt, and Brian Brown talk to North American Wood Ape Conservancy members who, while conducting observational field studies in the Ouachita Mountains, have observed an imposing gray wood ape to which the NAWAC colloquially refers as “Old Gray.” Primatologist Esteban Sarmiento also weighs in, bringing to bear his experience with the known apes.

Soundscape X Aug 24, 2019

Screams, pops, whistles, and howls. Just some of the sounds we hear in the course of our research into the North American Wood Ape. When those sounds are recorded, they become evidence. Presented in this episode, a selection of recordings captured by the NAWAC in the valley we call Area X.

Meeting Pruitt Jul 06, 2019

In Episode 3 of Apes Among Us, host Brandon Lentz chats with new AAU co-host Matt Pruitt about his background and the latest NAWAC observations in Area X.

Tag 7 Dec 24, 2017

In August 2015, something happened in the mountains of the Ouachita range that had never happened before. This event was the culmination of a decade and a half of effort and learning by the members of the North American Wood Ape Conservancy and may have brought about the first real behavioral and biological data about an animal many people thinks doesn't exist.

Encounters Oct 04, 2016

In our inaugural episode, hosts Brandon Lentz and Brian Brown explore some notable wood ape encounters experienced and investigated by members of the NAWAC. Also discussed, the group's Ouachita Project Monograph.
More information and show notes can be found on the NAWAC website.

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