Story:
Mythical beast Yeti Footprints Found by a Mountaineering Expedition Team of Indian Army
Other Versions
For the first time, an #IndianArmy Mountaineering Expedition Team has sited Mysterious Footprints of mythical beast ‘Yeti’ measuring 32×15 inches close to Makalu Base Camp on 09 April 2019.
Fact Check:
A story viral online purports to show a mountaineering expedition team of Indian Army found the Footprints of the mythical beast Yeti. The story gained significance because the claims originated from official Twitter account of Additional Directorate General of Public Information, Indian Army. So, let us examine the veracity of Yeti footprints.
Origin of Story
Late night on 29th April 2019, official Twitter account of Additional Directorate General of Public Information, Indian Army posted the story in question along with few pictures. They claimed that for the first time on 9th April 2019, an Indian Army Mountaineering Expedition Team has sited Mysterious Footprints of the mythical beast ‘Yeti’. They shared few pictures from the scene close to Makalu Base Camp (in Nepal) claiming the footprints measured 32×15 inches. Notably, they also shared a group photograph of the – First Indian Army Mountaineering Expedition Team. So, it is not clear if the expedition team of Indian Army was serious about its findings or conducting a trolling experiment on its followers.
Yeti or Abominable Snowman is an elusive mythical ape-like creature taller than an average human. It is said to inhabit the Himalayan Mountainous region. In past, there were several such allegations about finding of Yeti, some even showing evidence like hair, fur and faeces. However, studies later revealed the samples were from Himalayan and Tibetan subspecies of Bears and other real, known animals.
Not Yeti Footprints
The images Indian Army mountaineering team shared show long prints in the snow, one directly in front of the other. While the story went viral, some viewers made fun of the mythical Yeti claims. Others suggested the footprints belong to some large four-legged animal like Himalayan Brown Bear.
Dr. Anindya Sinha is a professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies in Bengaluru and a specialist on Monkeys. He looked into the matter and denied the prints on snow belong to Yeti. Besides, he suggested the footprints could be the pug-marks of Himalayan Brown Bears, which sometimes walk upright on hind legs. The confirmation came from Nepal Army later after few days. Nepal Army spokesperson, Brigadier General Bigyan Dev Pandey, explained Hindustan Times hindustantimes.com denying the footprints are of the mythical Yeti. He in fact said the footprints are of a Wild Bear, which frequently appears in the area; seen by locals and porters.
Hoax or Fact:
Partially Fact.
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