For many years, the mystery of the Yeti, also known as the abominable snowman in the Himalayas, has been a topic of fascination. It turns out that we already know its origin, all thanks to DNA. The Yeti is usually considered a folk figure, but physical evidence, such as hair and bones, have been found that support centuries of sightings. Thanks to science, we now know where it comes from.
The Dreaded Yeti Has Its Origin in an Animal of the Forests
The Yeti is often represented as an immense and hairy, mono-human creature that wanders inside the Himalayas. Alleged sightings over the years, as well as scattered “remains” hidden in monasteries or in the hands of shamans, have implied that the Yeti is not simply a mythical ghost. The creature, which is usually described as a huge animal similar to an ape, has been among the inhabitants of the Himalayas for hundreds of years. However, it wasn’t until the twentieth century, when explorers began to climb these treacherous peaks, that the creature occupied a prominent place in Western civilization.
But not everything is rumors. There are many physical remains exposed in museums or venerated as sacred relics by Buddhist monks. One of those relics was the alleged scalp of the Yeti kept in the monastery of Khumjung, but when it was studied, it was discovered that it was made of animal skin.
How Did They Discover the Origin of the Mysterious Yeti?
An international team of scientists, led by Professor Charlotte Lindqvist of the University of Buffalo, analyzed genetic samples of a variety of specimens, including bones, teeth, skin, hair, and feces, which were believed to belong to the legendary Yeti. Indeed, the genetic tests revealed that both samples came from bears. The bone belonged to a Tibetan brown bear, while the skin was from an Asian black bear. In fact, eight of the nine samples contained bear DNA, and the last one turned out to be from a dog.
Similar studies of hair samples supposedly related to the great hairy hominid of North America, the Sasquatch (also known as Bigfoot), have revealed that these fibers came from bears, horses, dogs, and a variety of other creatures, including a human being.
Beyond Solving a Legend, These Studies Will Serve Science
The analyses generated the first complete mitochondrial genomes of the Himalayan brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus) and the Black Bear of the Himalayas (Ursus Thibotanus Laniger), for example. That could help scientists determine how genetically different these rare subspecies of the most common species are, as well as the last time these groups shared maternal ancestors in the past.
Far from being a failure, the study has provided valuable information about the evolutionary history and genetic diversity of the Himalayas bears. It was discovered that the Himalayan brown bear and the Tibetan brown bear, although visually similar, separated into two different populations 650,000 years ago, during a glacial period. This finding is crucial for the conservation of these species, especially the Himalayan brown bear, which is currently in critical danger of extinction.
A greater genetic research on these rare and elusive animals can help clarify the environmental history of the region, as well as the evolutionary history of bears worldwide, and additional samples of the ‘Yeti’ could contribute to this work. The study, however, does not intend to deny the existence of creatures still unknown to science. “Although there are no conclusive evidence that supports the existence of mythical animals, it is impossible to discard it completely,” admits Lindqvist.
From the first traces sighted on Mount Everest in 1921 to the numerous expeditions in its search, the Yeti is still present among us.