Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

David Attenborough wants to find the Abominable Snowman

'There are teeth that were found back in the 1920s, huge molar teeth about six times the size of ours, immense things,' the broadcaster said

Ella Alexander
Friday 05 September 2014 23:31 BST
Comments
Naturalist David Attenborough presents 'Attenborough’s Fabulous Frogs', the final instalment of the current 'Natural World' series
Naturalist David Attenborough presents 'Attenborough’s Fabulous Frogs', the final instalment of the current 'Natural World' series (BBC)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

David Attenborough has much more to achieve - namely finding the Abominable Snowman.

Although the naturalist isn't “necessarily” sure he believes in its existence, hunting down the Yeti is still on his to-do list.

“I mean I wouldn't mind finding the Abominable Snowman for a start,” he said.

“There is still a mystery about the Abominable Snowman. There are teeth that were found back in the 1920s, huge molar teeth about six times the size of ours, immense things, they were found in a Chinese druggists store and undoubtedly are the teeth of a giant ape that must have lived relatively recently itself and that could have been the Abominable Snowman.”

The Yeti or Abominable Snowman is rumoured to live in the Himalayan region of Nepal and Tibet. Stories of the creature first emerged in the 19th Century, but scientists have written of the mammal as a myth in the absence of sufficient evidence.

However, Attenborough says the mystery surrounding the Yeti is exactly what draws him to finding the creature.

“I don't say I necessarily believe in it, I'm saying that there is evidence and of course one of the very difficult things ever to do is prove a negative, to prove that it doesn't exist,” he said at the launch of UKTV’s new season of programmes.

The broadcaster has had a number of animals named after him including the goblin spider (Prethopalpus attenboroughi), a fossilised fish (Materpiscis attenboroughi) and a fossil grasshopper (Materpiscis attenboroughi).

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in