Biographies

Jonathan Downes is the director of the Centre for Fortean Zoology, and he is undeniably one of the best known cryptozoologists in the English-speaking world. Jon has dedicated his life to searching the world for mystery animals and trying to make sense of the mysteries of Mother Nature. These preoccupations started over half a century ago, in a place which – for all intents and purposes – no longer exists and which contemporary readers may struggle to comprehend.

I hope that people reading this book have as much fun as I did writing it. I was inspired by Douglas Botting’s biography of my hero Gerald Durrell, telling the story of the great man’s life with wit and aplomb and was not afraid to reveal all the facets of his remarkable life – warts and all. This is my version.