Bigfoot, when the discovery is made, how will different organizations react?

So let's assume for a moment that once Dr. Melba Ketchum makes her Bigfoot DNA announcement, and her case is proven without a doubt that Bigfoot exists. What will be next?

Some will say that it proves nothing and a specimen (a body dead or alive) is still needed. Others will say it's good enough and we should move forward and start protecting these "beings" before their habitat gets destroyed.

But what about researchers who have poured their heart and soul into this field for 20+ years? What would be their purpose then? Or will there still be a purpose? Much is still in the air at this point, but we're going to look into the future and see what some people think might happen.

OregonBigfootBlog has some interesting questions about Bigfoot researchers and "long-term" witnesses once conclusive proof of Bigfoot's existence makes the headlines:

If this DNA study does, in fact, prove once and for all THAT bigfoot exists, what will researchers do then? The conundrum will shift from IF they are to WHAT they are (the same question that has been the focus of my research for 20+ years). What will weekend warriors or full-blown research organizations attempting to gather evidence to prove bigfoot’s existence do when they suddenly find themselves without a purpose? Just as Bigfoot begins to gain popularity as a subject in the reality TV genre, every program that has aired in the past or is in the works (like David Shealy’s upcoming show) that aims to prove that they exist, or examines the evidence that they might, will be rendered irrelevant. If the nature of Bigfoot is as I suspect, Bigfoot will no longer be a wildlife biology question, but a cultural anthropology question. The popular techniques that have been used endlessly in the field to attempt to gather proof will only ensure that researchers never get close enough to truly answer the followup question of “what are they?” (or better yet “WHO are they?”), because determining the actual nature of Sasquatch will require much closer interaction. That necessitates allowing them to remain in control. Long-term witnesses know this. They’ve known it all along.

Will those witnesses have a voice then? Will they feel more comfortable coming forward and sharing what they know because they will no longer be asked to be the one to provide the “proof” that they fear may bring about the demise of Sasquatch? Will they begin to share what they know about the nature of these creatures in hopes of garnering respect and compassion for them?

I hope so. It’s beginning and I hope to see this trend continue. I will do what I can to help it along.

My friend in Oklahoma, the witness above who has agreed to share her story with the Oregon Bigfoot members’ community, had this to say:

“People are accepting [long-term witnesses stories] now more readily and the ridicule isn’t quite as severe. We need to begin speaking out. It isn’t just about the bigfoot… it’s about humanity and what [their existence] brings out in us. The choice of whether or not they are ‘discovered’ is being taken from them. More and more people are becoming aware of them and there are groups out there who keep chasing them and even hunting them. If someone is getting beaten up and we walk on by, we’re just as guilty. We’re complicit in what’s happening. If we don’t speak out, and if they are killed or harassed, we play a part in that with our silence.”

What about the government? Do they have any ideas about what to do once the discovery is made?

Here's one unconfirmed paper that was circulating the internet a few years ago. It was a "news release" supposedly leaked from the Dept. of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, dated December 21, 1977:

What would the United States Government do?

“I doubt we’ll ever have to do anything, because I don’t believe there are any of the things around to be discovered in the first place,” said Keith Schreiner, Associate Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Service is the Government agency with responsibility for protecting endangered and threatened species.

“At least, we have the laws and regulations on the books to deal with newly discovered species.”

Schreiner acknowledged, however, that a good deal of international cooperation would be needed if extremely rare species were found abroad. And finding one on U.S. soil would pose serious problems too, Service officials agree.

Undisputed proof of a Bigfoot might cause an immediate, short-term problem no law could handle. Word of its discovery would be flashed around the world within hours, Hysteria, fear, or panic might accompany the news in the area where the creature was located. The throngs of curiosity seekers, would-be captors, and others wishing to find Bigfoot would not only create a serious threat to the animal itself, but to public safety as well. Some officials doubt whether any State or Federal action short of calling out the National Guard could keep order in the area within the first few hours or days of the creature’s discovery. This could be essential until a team of scientists could do the necessary things to ensure the creature’s survival.

The key law in preservation of a species is the Endangered Species Act, which pledges the United States to conserve species of plants and animals facing extinction. This broad, complex law protects endangered species from killing, harassment, and other forms of exploitation. The Act prohibits the import and export of, and interstate commerce in, endangered species. American citizens cannot engage in commercial traffic in endangered species between nations, even when the United States is not involved. Scientists wishing to study endangered species are required to have a permit issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

But before a creature can receive protection under the Endangered Species Act, a number of actions normally must occur which involve recommendations from the public, scientists, and State and foreign governments where the species exists.

The first of these would he the species’ formal description and naming in a recognized scientific publication. In addition, if it were a U.S. species, the Governor of the State where it was found would be contacted, as would the officials of foreign governments if it were found outside the United States. Only after much information was collected could the Service make a formal determination as to whether the species should be afforded endangered or threatened status.

[via: www.oregonbigfoot.com via: www.mid-americanbigfoot.com]