On my blog Bigfoot Quest, I have discussed how women in this field—and, in fact, most branches of cryptozoology—remain publicly invisible. How many female cryptozoologists can the average person name? Well, after reading this interview, you'll know at least one name: Robin Bellamy.

The group Paranormal Studies and Investigations Canada (PSICAN) recently named Robin their Director of Cryptozoology. She has investigated paranormal phenomena from ghosts to Mothman—a cryptid from her home state of West Virginia—and offered her candid opinions on the controversies that simmer within cryptozoology and especially Bigfoot research.

PSICAN is the parent organization for several local investigative organizations throughout Canada. We study all sorts of paranormal things—everything from UFOs and ghosts to my new specialty, cryptozoology. As Director, I will answer all submitted witness reports and other questions, and if it falls within the criteria for more research will either research it myself or assign it to a qualified researcher in the local area of the sighting. I anticipate being called on as a spokesperson for the group in things Crypto as well, and will include the topic with my ongoing lecture series across North America. I currently speak every year at the Mothman Festival in Point Pleasant and it has been a great opportunity to educate the public about what cryptozoology is and what the Mothman phenomena might be.

I would guess about half the staff at PSICAN is female, with a pretty even split between the sexes as far as directorships and board positions. Women tend to be good with interviewing witnesses and thier attention to detail in investigation, research, and reports is incredible. One of our founders, Sue Darroch, is a well respected researcher and has been at this sort of stuff for over a decade.

I have had both apparition and cryptozoological experiences and found both to be extraordinary. I actually once interacted with an apparition who foretold of an event (nothing major) which actually came true in just a few hours, much to everyone's surprise. As far as cryptozoology, I have seen Mothman in the 1970's and have encountered something unexplained in a local conservation area within the last few years. One thing that is different with the crypto stuff is that I was left with a great deal of fear. I don't get that with the ghost stuff.

Ah yes, crossovers. I'm probably going out on a limb here, but Ive yet to be convinced that there is causational connection with any two groups of common paranormal events. I am aware that they sometimes occur at seemingly the same time, but am not sure that they are closely related with the possible exception of the ability of the witnesses to be more aware. In other words, are there more UFOs because of the cryptids or are there more cryptids because of the UFOs? I don't know. I don't think anyone can show good evidence that the two are absolutely related outside of time frame and location. I firmly believe that both events need to be fully investigated, but investigated separately. If this happens and there IS some connection, the investigation will prove that rather than assuming a connection and muddying a hypothesis from the beginning.

My organization stands firmly behind the "I don't know" response to that question. There simply isn't good evidence to draw a conclusion. Personally, I lean toward hominid because I take into account the behaviors associated with the being. If it is ape, it's a well advanced one.

I think there are witnesses who get caught up in the idea of Bigfoot, just as there are baseball fans who think their team is the greatest regardless of a losing streak. But I think that all witnesses need to be assumed to be telling the truth as they know it and investigated thoroughly without judgement. If they have indeed had multiple sightings then the investigation will bear that out.

Actually I was born in Point Pleasant, but I never lived there. I grew up in Ravenswood, WV, a town just upriver from Point. There was no hospital in Ravenswood (there still isn't) so I was born in Point. My Mothman encounter was also near Ravenswood, and in broad daylight which is a bit unusual. I was a young child and at the time thought it was some sort of river diver, although the location would have been inappropriate for someone in a wet suit. It was only many years later that I began to understand that what I saw wasn't...normal.

I think that is ridiculous and an insult to people who have had sightings. Mothman has clearly got a human-esque physique.

I'm currently researching natural gravity in the area as well as other geographic issues with an eye toward the hypothesis that there is something special about the Point Pleasant area that draws this sort of phenomena. I've done a little poking around about the toxins in the area but as you can imagine folks are not very friendly when you start asking them how exactly they have poisoned the environment. Ive been to the sighting areas on many occasions and am attempting to cross reference anything about the Point area that is similar to other sightings worldwide. And in my spare time *grin* I am working on the genealogy of the major Mothman witnesses.

I have primarily been a ghost researcher. I began back in 2003 I think it was, and have since investigated hundreds of hauntings and other oddities as they related to persons who are now dead and their possible reappearance. I'm about to publish my second book, Haunted Hospitality, which chronicles the history and hauntings of the Lowe Hotel in Point Pleasant. My previous book, Haunt Cuisine, is a cookbook with a ghost story related to each recipe. I'm also working on a small edition of my columns for YYZ Magazine which involve local Toronto, Ontario legends. Cryptozoologically, I'm quite interested in river monsters and may take on a project regarding those.

My best advice is to develop a thick skin. Nearly everyone will have an opinion different from yours, and all are worthwhile. Respect those opinions as much as your own and search for a common truth among all theories. But most of all, don't let anyone get away with telling you the research is pointless or inane. Nothing that increases our knowledge of ANYTHING could possibly be pointless.