Cryptozoology museum in danger from IRS
The International Cryptozoology in Portland, Maine, is in dire straits following an IRS lawsuit, and needs $15,000 in donations to move to a new location. Loren Coleman, the curator of the museum and author on numerous books on the study of ‘hidden’ animals, says the case began as a challenge of "the reality of cryptozoology as an occupation," which in turn called the validity of the museum into question. According to Code 183 of the IRS, cryptozoology is a hobby, so the museum needs more income to support itelf. Coleman argued that combined with publications, and the visibility of the museum on the internet, he lived above poverty level, but since the museum is a separate entity, that didn’t fly, loosing him an appeal. It is a little strange that cryptozoology does not merit more consideration as a science. Every day new species are discovered, widening our understanding of evolutionary diversity. Considering some of the species already discovered, like the egg-laying venomous mammal the duck-billed platypus, a unicorn or Big Foot no longer seem that exotic. Further, a history of hidden animals may lend clues to animals already extrinct, as well as those we have not ‘officially confirmed’ yet. On a curious note, when Magellan returned from his journey, having for the first time seen a rhinocerous, he declared that he found unicorns, but that they look somewhat different from how people imagined them. If nothing else, a cryptozoology museum is a unique place preserving preserving both our earlier understanding of the animal kingdom and our creative imagination thereof, which is often all science ever is.
Save The Museum, Cryptomundo.com