Silvapithecus Americanus: The Discovery of a New Species

By William D. Gibson

This is the story of the events leading up to the 'discovery' of a bipedal nonhuman primate that has been inhabiting the forests of North America for thousands of years. It is 'known' to exist by those who have encountered it. But skeptics and scientists needed more. A body. This is a version of what could happen getting to that point and beyond. Fiction today, but maybe not tomorrow.

• Language: English
• Publisher: William D. Gibson
• Release date: Apr 14, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311705235

William D. Gibson

Raised in Massachusetts, William Gibson is a Brown University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He served as a Special Agent in Counterintelligence in the Army during the Vietnam War, and obtained an MBA after that. Forty years of his working life have been at least partially devoted to putting words together, first writing intelligence and inspection reports for the military. Out of the Army, he followed a career in banking in Risk Management and Credit Administration. It was professionally satisfying to generate policies, plans, and reports for the bank. But when he retired, he opted for the fun of writing about zombies, science fiction, and now something real like Bigfoot. He currently resides in Berkley, Massachusetts.

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Silvapithecus Americanus

By William D. Gibson

Copyright 2015 William D. Gibson

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you.

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Important Stuff

This is a work of fiction in which I am taking certain fictional liberties. Although the names of people, things or places, may exist, their resemblance to actual persons, things, or places is coincidental. That said, commonly reported aspects of the animal's habitat, behavior, characteristics, and encounters are intended to capture the essence of the animal we know as Bigfoot. Or Sasquatch, your call.

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Silva, in Latin, means 'woods', or 'forest'.

Pithecus, Latinized Greek for 'ape'

Americanus, a Latin adjective meaning 'American'

Introduction

Before we start, you should know that she was the closest relative we had, you and me. Now she is dead. The death of anything is usually a sad event. When it's a close relative, well, you'd think that would be very, very sad. But now we were just wondering what to do with the body. Somehow someone will find out and when they do, the world will know. But the world wouldn't be sad. It will celebrate her death. It would. Her death, when it became known and scientifically verified, should generate a vigorous and spirited discussion amongst a wide variety of interested parties that will not cease for decades to come.

For years, her supporters were laughed at. The name connoted a punch line, was the subject of many a terrible movie, and even became linked with beef jerky. But, in the end, believers had the last laugh.

We were the first to find out about her death as we were close to her when she died. I, for one, was adamantly against killing her. But now that she was dead, what should we do? This is the story getting to that decision point and a little beyond it.

Chapter 1 - The Logging Truck

My granddaughter and I had just returned home from an all-day hike along the Sacramento River Trail just north of Redding. Julie was making herself a sandwich while I was just happy to enjoy the soft cushion of my favorite chair in the living room, meanwhile trying to see if there were any holes in my eyelids.

May, your phone's going off, said Julie. Do you hear it?

I do, I said. I did, but I knew it wasn't the clinic. They wouldn't be calling. I was just going to let it go to voicemail, but I didn't. I stared at the phone, didn't recognize the number, paused a couple more seconds and reluctantly pushed 'accept'.

Hello? I answered.

Hello, Ms. Sheehy, this is Officer Bliven of the Redding Police. We met when you were taking out a concealed weapon permit.

Oh, yes, Officer Bliven, said Lisa, winking at Julie, "what can I do for you?'

Dr. Sheehy, I just got a call from 911 dispatch, said James Bliven. A logging truck just hit a large animal outside of town. I know it's a little late and not your job, but I think I could use your help on this one. Can you meet me at the scene of the accident?

What kind of animal was hit? asked Lisa.

All I know was that it was big and dark brown and ran in front of the truck, said Bliven. The driver was pretty shook up. He didn't see much. He was still in his cab when he made the call. He thinks it was dead, but wasn't sure.

Don't we have an Animal Control Officer? asked Lisa.

The EMTs were called first, but wouldn't come when they heard the word 'road kill', said Bliven. But to answer your question, yes, Animal Control has been called, but I'm not sure they'll show up. And if it's a dead 'you know what', I'd like you there, if you know what I mean, said Bliven.

I'm not sure I do, but where is the accident? asked Lisa.

It's on 299 west of town on the way to the lake, said Bliven. Meet me there?

Yes, sure, my curiosity is killing me, said Lisa. I'm bringing my granddaughter. We're headed out right now.

Thank you, said Bliven.

What was that all about, May? asked Julie. Are we going out to see a road kill? Why did he call you?

Well, Julie, Officer Bliven assisted me in my effort to obtain a weapons permit a few days ago, said Lisa. I wanted to get one out here so I'd feel safer when we went hiking. He was very nice. We had a chat about things. I told him I had a career back east where I had expertise with animals' emergency and critical care, as well as treating zoo animals. What I didn't quite understand tonight was it might be a 'you-know-what'.

Is he your age and good-looking? asked Julie.

Lisa looked at her granddaughter and smiled. At least she thought someone could be 'good-looking' at my age.

What's a you-know-what, May? asked Julie, always the inquisitive, who was now onto another question.

Bottom line, honey, is that we're going for a ride to see a probably-dead road kill that's big and brown; and the truck driver who hit it was too shaken to get out of his cab, said Lisa. For some reason, Officer Bliven thought a vet with my experience might be of some help to him.

Maybe it's a bigfoot, said Julie. I heard some of the kids in school talking about Bigfoot.

No, dear, not a chance. I lived right here on my daddy's farm for fourteen years before we moved to New England, said Lisa. I spent a lot of my spare time hunting and fishing with my dad and older brother as well as hiking and rock climbing. I never once saw or heard a Bigfoot or knew anyone else who did. Whenever someone said they saw one, there was never any proof. They're a myth, an Indian legend. There's no such thing. They don't exist. Just like Nessie in Scotland or Paul Bunyan or the Boogeyman.

But if it is Bigfoot and it's still alive, you could fix it, couldn't you, May? asked Julie.

Put it this way, Julie, if it's a Bigfoot and if it's still alive, and if it's a primate… continued Lisa. By the way, do you know what a primate is?

Yeah, I think so, said Julie. It's an ape, not a monkey, right?

Right, although humans are also primates, so if it's a primate, I'd be very interested…but that is sure a lot of ifs, isn't it? asked Lisa. Somehow I don't think we'll have to think about primates when we find that the truck hit a large black bear.

The ride took less than a half hour.

We're coming up to it now, said Lisa. Look at the flashing lights. Looks like the police are here.

Lisa saw Officer Bliven who motioned her over to the side of the road. She rolled down the side window and waited for him.

Bliven walked up and peered in the window. Hi Dr. Sheehy and you, too, young lady, said Bliven. I'm glad you came, but we don't have a body. Can you get out and take a look anyway?

Where did it go? asked Lisa.

No one knows, said Bliven. That's the truck driver. He says he hit something. Something pretty big. It was dark brown or black. Moved fast. He tells us he's pretty sure it moved on two legs. But there's no body, no blood on the road, no marks at all. There is a road kill right around where the spot where he says he hit something. Do you want to take a look?

Yes, sure, said Lisa. Let's take a look at the truck. There should be some evidence of the impact on the front of the truck. Can I borrow your flashlight?

Yeah, sure, Doc, said Officer Bliven. He said it came from right to left if that's any help.

Hmm, murmured Lisa. There's a speck of blood on this fender and some fur elsewhere. I'm going to get my kit out of the car and take a sample. Can you ask him if he's ever hit anything else live on the road before with this truck while I do that?

Bliven dutifully took the driver aside and pursued Lisa's line of inquiry, reporting back after a couple minutes. He was a little evasive with his answer, said Bliven, but admitted he's hit a couple animals before, nothing serious, though. No damage he said. He sees bears, deer and everything else down to mouse size from time to time. Sometimes they dart out in front of the truck. If it's small, they just take the hit. If they're a little larger, he definitely tries to avoid them, most by braking.

Julie couldn't resist the temptation to join the conversation with Bliven. I was hoping it was a Bigfoot, she said. My May is an expert in primates.

Bliven leaned over to Julie and whispered, Yeah, I know. I Googled her and she knows her stuff. That's why I called her. She's one of the best primate veterinarians in the country. I thought the road kill might be a Bigfoot. What is your name, Miss?"

My name's Julie. She's kinda pretty, too, don't you think? asked Julie, trolling.

Yeah, kinda is, I guess, said Bliven, winking at Julie.

Soon Lisa was back from her inspection of the truck. There's not much evidence of anything, although I did collect some fur from the left side bumper area in front which doesn't make sense if the animal was moving right to left. At any rate, I can take a look at it and see if there's anything to be learned. I'll get back to you tomorrow.

That would be helpful, said Bliven. This will be a hot news item, I'm betting. The police calls are followed by a lot of people around here.

Meanwhile, Bliven began directing some police into the woods after one of his officers heard something coming from the direction where an injured animal would have run off the road. He called for police car spotlights and headlights to be directed into the thick undercover while three policemen and some recently arrived, drivers-riding-by, volunteers took up a quickly organized search.

There may be something injured or dying in those woods, not far by, said Officer Bliven to Lisa. One of my officers heard a noise in there. We're going to check it out.

Fifteen or twenty minutes passed uneventfully when the search stopped to a halt.

Jim, we found something, called someone from the darkness. Something dead. I don't think it's an animal.

Immediately a half dozen onlookers and police rushed into the thicket where two policemen stood over a body illuminated by the powerful flashlight of a patrolman. Jim Bliven began to holler at everyone stand back. This could be a crime scene, he said. Stand back. Lisa and Julie were making their way in as well and could hear Bliven clearly, and more loudly now, repeating the order.

As they all looked over the motionless body, it was generally becoming clearer to everyone who caught even a glimpse. This was a large human who hadn't been near civilization for a very long time. And it was a man. A dead one. Unkempt and dirty, his body clearly had not benefited from a speck of soap, shampoo or deodorant for years. Clothes, if that what you'd call