Talk:Yowie (cryptid)

Gilroy and Gigantopithecus
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.

What I'd like to know is how either of them crossed the Wallace line. Totnesmartin 18:33, 10 February 2007 (UTC)

My theory
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)

A Plea
I don't particularly want to mess with other poeples' work, but feel strongly that the mythological creature and the cryptid should have sepperate pages. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 72.255.1.172 (talk) 10:38, 16 March 2007 (UTC).
 * Agree. The Yowie, Whowie, or Yowie-Whowie is also a Dreamtime creature with the six legs of an ant and the head and other characteristics of a lizard. Unlike the modern Yowie, it was relegated to the Dreamtime and has not been seen since. (Most likely because it was killed by an aboriginal hero.) Until the Wikipedia article, I had only heard of this version. I suggest a Yowie (mythology) page. 24.14.198.8 22:05, 13 August 2007 (UTC) Chris G.