Climate shift and disaster migration of Yowies: A theory

[paulmcleod67]

The cyclone Debbie event has afforded an opportunity to investigate another set of question that have bugged me for some years.

1) Are Yowies a migration species?

2) Do climate fronts, such as bush fires and cyclone events push yowie populations into migration away from danger?

3) Will the combination of NSW/QLD fires and cyclone Debbie cause an increase in sightings between Mackay and The Sunshine coast
due to habitat stress?


4) Does historical data already indicate the above (has any research been done on this idea in the past)?


Thoughts on this?Y\

[DaveR]

G'day Paul,

I can comment on #1.. I don't believe they are migratory as much as they are transitory. By this I mean I think they roam over a large enough area as to not deplete resources. Sometimes these areas are infringed by human development and sometimes the areas are entered by people. I have proved this to myself with repeated audio recording periods. As it stands it seems a recorder left out for a week may provide suspected audio of a yowie over short periods within the 5 -7 hour window. At least here they remain all year but appear to leave for periods because of the russian roulette chance of recording in the right place at the right time.

[Simon M]

There are reports that their habits (and even their hair colour) change with the seasons, but I don't know that anyone has convincingly demonstrated they engage in migratory behaviour. As Dave says, though, they range over massive areas. I reckon you're right about events like the ones you've described forcing them to behave differently, but it's also the case that fewer people might be out and about to see them for the same reasons the Yowies would be on the move; it's a sort of Catch 22 situation I guess.

In THE YOWIE: In Search of Australia's Bigfoot the authors discuss the fact that most sightings occur at particular times of the day due to increased periods of human activity at those times. They also suggest that Yowies may well be most active in the very early hours of the morning, as there are generally fewer people around who'd be likely to see them.

[ChrisV]

I reckon they just move on. Find a new area not too far away and set up camp!

Sorry to be so simple but I agree they seem to be wandering nomads so they would be prepared for movement at anytime from reports.

[Simon M]

I reckon they just move on. Find a new area not too far away and set up camp!

Sorry to be so simple but I agree they seem to be wandering nomads so they would be prepared for movement at anytime from reports.

I agree with this - they're survivors so they just do what they have to.

I like your new avatar....classic!

[DaveR]

G'day Paul,

I can comment on #1.. I don't believe they are migratory as much as they are transitory. By this I mean I think they roam over a large enough area as to not deplete resources. Sometimes these areas are infringed by human development and sometimes the areas are entered by people. I have proved this to myself with repeated audio recording periods. As it stands it seems a recorder left out for a week may provide suspected audio of a yowie over short periods within the 5 -7 hour window. At least here they remain all year but appear to leave for periods because of the russian roulette chance of recording in the right place at the right time.

Apologies.. 5 to 7 DAY window.

[ChrisV]

I reckon they just move on. Find a new area not too far away and set up camp!

Sorry to be so simple but I agree they seem to be wandering nomads so they would be prepared for movement at anytime from reports.

I agree with this - they're survivors so they just do what they have to.

I like your new avatar....classic!

Yes that avatar is from the 'Suicidal Bigfoot' - watch it if you want a laugh!!!

[thehairyone]

Hi all , the area I go to sits at the base of the Victorian snowfields , I have noticed that in summer my area goes very quiet then in winter it picks up again ( all my possible interactions / vocals / photos are in winter ) .
My theory is that the ones in my area come down the mountain when it is cold and snows , then back up when the weather improves .
I have no proof of this its just my thoughts on what I am finding .
By doing this I think the food sources probably wouldn't be depleted as much also
Any thoughts ?
Cheers Greg

[Simon M]

In their book The Yowie: In Search of Australia’s Bigfoot, Tony Healy and Paul Cropper mention that Yowies are reportedly less active during summer (or are seen less often by people for whatever reason), so you could well be correct.

[paulmcleod67]

Whilst I use the term migratory, I use it in the sense that Yowies may be following seasonal food sources and other migratory animals such as bird life. I'm also intrigued by the notion that they have ancestral pathways or area's of traditional habitation at certain times of the year and under certain climate conditions.

The sighting data seems to confirm these ideas....much more work needed I know but it's a start.

Cheers

[paulmcleod67]

A quick side thought on this....

Are territorial displays being witnessed because of human expansion into yowies "traditional habitations"? The aboriginals have huge respect for "no go" areas attributed to spirits and yowies.

Cheers

[adventurer]

Hi all , the area I go to sits at the base of the Victorian snowfields , I have noticed that in summer my area goes very quiet then in winter it picks up again ( all my possible interactions / vocals / photos are in winter ) .
My theory is that the ones in my area come down the mountain when it is cold and snows , then back up when the weather improves .
I have no proof of this its just my thoughts on what I am finding .
By doing this I think the food sources probably wouldn't be depleted as much also
Any thoughts ?
Cheers Greg

AGREED--summer is very quiet where i go too. Cant wait till may, when it was full on. Just a waiting game now till then, but i bet there back as a whole family again. Will give update in may, but am sure your right on track.

[Simon M]

A quick side thought on this....

Are territorial displays being witnessed because of human expansion into yowies "traditional habitations"? The aboriginals have huge respect for "no go" areas attributed to spirits and yowies.

Cheers

This makes sense. Sacred sites are based on traditional lore which takes the presence of these creatures into account, and since the urban sprawl of modern society doesn't there's bound to be consequences as previously untouched wilderness areas undergo development.

It's horrible to think that the way we might learn more about them is by literally forcing them into a corner.

[Tim*]

I've got not idea what their migratory habits might be like, but I would think the necessity to breed with other Yowies outside of their own family unit would see them moving around. Maybe even great distances.

I've often wondered how small groups forced into isolation due to human development deal with this. I guess they would die out or we would have some two headed Yowies running around. Perhaps they dispatch of any newborns that are the product of inbreeding? This could also explain sightings in urban settings. These could be males of breeding age out looking for a mate.

Tim

[gregvalentine]

I've got not idea what their migratory habits might be like, but I would think the necessity to breed with other Yowies outside of their own family unit would see them moving around. Maybe even great distances.

I've often wondered how small groups forced into isolation due to human development deal with this. I guess they would die out or we would have some two headed Yowies running around. Perhaps they dispatch of any newborns that are the product of inbreeding? This could also explain sightings in urban settings. These could be males of breeding age out looking for a mate.

Tim

As long as the mate they're looking for is not your hairy sister.