Hi,                                      5 JULY, 2010

I have been researching Bigfoot here in Texas and neighboring Arkansas and Oklahoma. I have found very similar evidence such as nesting sites, hair, scat samples, and footprints. I have also photographed and analyzed cast of footprints and even hand prints. (in Oklahoma I found a nest built into the resulting cavity and overhanging roots from an overturned tree, much like the one pictured on your site.)

I have been in contact with a professional biologist at the Max Planc Institute for Primate studies in Berlin, Germany and she is very interested in some of my research. She was instrumental in scientifically classifying the recently discovered "Giant Chimpanzees" (gorilla-sized) in the Congo. Her work involved extracting DNA from scat samples, which is probably the best source of genetic material outside of a captured specimen. She believes that Sasquatch DNA, if preserved and scientifically sequenced would be invaluable to the research and possible preservation of the species.

I asked the biologist for some methods for preserving Bigfoot/Sasquatch scat, which I previously found but could not adequately keep. I thought I would share the information that she sent me with you. There are two methods, one simple and inexpensive, the other more involved and slightly more expensive materials. I feel that it would be beneficial for any serious researcher to have at least the first set of materials available for an expedition.

(Consider also that one day the DNA may have a high monetary value as well)

The first method is as follows:
Purchase some Denatured Alcohol , which you can get at just about any hardware store. Denatured Alcohol is about 95% ethyalcoholol, with a few additives. Then get a glass jar big enough for a cross-section of the scat- a canning jar is probably about the right size and will give you a good seal. A well-washed-out mayonnaise or peanut butter jar will work as well. Make sure you wear gloves. Use woodetongueue-depressors, which you can get at drugstores to pick up the samples. (They are sterile and DNA-free) Otherwise, a pair of sticks will do, just dip them into the alcohol first.

Then put the scat sample in the jar and then slowly pour in the alcohol till it is covered. If it floats up a littlethat'sts OK. Then cover the jar and let it set overnight. The next morning pour out about half thalcoholol and then secure the lid back on tightly.  
This will preserve the contents indefinitely, although the DNA will slowly degrade. I would recommend keeping a few filled jars like this for any samples: nails, tissues, hair, etc.

This is the second method that they used in Africa and had good results. This is a two-step process, not difficult IF you can get the materials.
 
The materials are usually stocked in medical supply houses and scientific equipment suppliers-. I don't know if you have access to them in your area. Another option is to order them on-line- I will include some links below. They tend to be a bit expensive.
 
You need two tubes or vials for each specimen. Biologists often use 50mcentrifugege tubes which are about 1 1/4 inch in diameter and are 4 or 5 inches long. They come with caps 
You need 9ethanolanol (ethyl alcohol). (The other 5% is water.) You can sometimes get this at big drugstores. It is often called Pharmacy-grade ethanol. (Denatured alcohol also works but not as well) The other thing you need is Silica Gel beads or grains. Sometimes they have it in chain stores like Super Walmarts. Silica is used to absorb moisture in food products.
 
Wooden tongue-depressors are recommended to cut and handle the scat- they are disposable and sterile. You will also need a piece of kleenex or paper towel
 
Here is the two-step process:
Step 1:
First fill one of the tubes about three-fifths (30ml) with the ethanol.
 
Next, add a ball of scat about 1-inch in diameter.
 
Cap the tube and let it set overnight.
 
Step 2:
The next day, fill the other, empty tube with silica gel, about 4/5ths full.

Put a piece of paper towel the width of the tube, on top of the gel inside the tube.
 
Then loosen the cap of the filled tube to a small crack, enough to slowly pour off the ethanol, on to the ground. If you lose a bit of dissolved scat that is OK.
 
Put the ball of scat on top of the paper inside the tube that has the silica gel. Cap the tube and store it in an upright position. That's it, you're done.
 
The silica absorbes fluids and moisture, leaving a fairly dry and well-preserved specimen. Of course, the fresher the scat, the more likely it is that DNA can be recovered.

As promised, here are the links where materials can be purchased online:

Silica Gel: http://www.silica-gel-source.com/Bulk-Silica-Gel-C33.aspx
 
Ethanol:  http://www.fishersci.com/wps/portal/PRODUCTDETAIL?prodcutdetail='prod'&productId=10542653&catalogId=29104&matchedCatNo=04355454||04355457||04355453||04355455||04355723||22032106&pos=12&catCode=RE_SC&endecaSearchQuery=#store=Scientific#N=0#rpp=15&fromCat=yes&keepSessionSearchOutPut=true&fromSearch=Y&searchKey=ethanol||95&highlightProductsItemsFlag=Y

If the long link above doesn't work you can search for the products on Fisher Scientific Supply's site:

http://www.fischersci.com 

Wishing you sucess in all your endeavors,

David A. Claerr