Dr Igor Burtsev, who visited the region last summer in an attempt to gather more information, says that locals believe the creatures are stealing their animals.
Witnesses describe the creatures as heavily built, bipedal and bear-like. Some also suggest the creatures are around 7ft tall and covered in red and black fur.
Afanasy Kiskorov, one of the local witnesses, says that in 2010 he had a very close encounter with one of the yetis. While out on a hunting trip in the Tashtagol district (an area only accessible by helicopter) he came across one of the creatures who was crying out in terror having fallen into one of the area’s treacherous mountain rivers. While his companions were too stunned to offer any help, Kiskorov held out a dry tree trunk allowing the creature to crawl back to dry land.
Dr Burtsev is convinced there are a significant number of the creatures. He estimates that there are around 30 living in Mount Shoria region. He believes, despite the descriptions of their height, that the “yetis” are in fact Neanderthal survivors. He considers the “primary goal” of the new institute to be establishing meaningful contact with the creatures.
