The Rugaroo

Though lore of this creature has been spread throughout both French and Native American lore, the Rugaroo (sometimes spelled Roogaroo, Rougarou, Roux-Ga-Roux, Rugaru, or Ruggaroo) is our next peek into some of the Native American culture and legends.
Versions of the Rugaroo vary from something similar to a mild Bigfoot-type creatures to cannibalistic Native American Wendigos. Some dispute the connection between Native American folktales and the francophone Rugaru. (2)

Just as the Wendigo is part of the traditional belief systems of various Algonquian-speaking tribes in the northern US and Canada, the Rugaroo is an extremely similar tale of metamorphosis triggered the cannibalism among the Ojibwe and Chippewa. As is the norm with legends transmitted by oral tradition, stories often contradict one another. The stories of the Wendigo vary by tribe and region, but the most common cause of the change is typically related to cannibalism. (2) A modified example, not in the original wendigo legends, is that of a motif of harmful sensation story—if a person sees a rugaru, that person will be transformed into one.

Author Peter Matthiessen argues that the rugaru is a separate legend from that of the cannibal-like giant Wendigo. While the Wendigo is feared, he notes that the Rugaroo is seen as sacred and in tune with Mother Earth, somewhat like Bigfoot legends are today. (3)

It is important to note that rugaru is not a native Ojibwa word, nor is it derived from the languages of neighboring Native American peoples. However, it has a striking similarity to the French word for werewolf, loup garou. (2) Aka: the werewolf. But the Native American lore suggests that unlike the Loup Garou (who are limited to the form of a wolf and in some lore more are specifically triggered by full moons with limited or uncontrolled shifting), a Rugaroo can take on any animal form and can shapeshift at any time, multiple times. (1)

Sources:
1. Associated content : L. Lee Scott
2. Wikipedia: Rougarou
3. Peter Matthiessen

Bigfoot Basics

We feel it is safe to say that at some point or another we've all considered the possibility of Big Foot, or some other similar ape man, even if you only managed to indulge the idea just long enough to dismiss it entirely.

Who or What is Bigfoot?

Descriptions vary by region and eyewitnesses, but the bulk of reports describe the creature as a tall, hairy, ape-like man who walks on two legs and is a known carnivore. Female versions have been reported to be slightly shorted than the males with larger breasts.
Most Bigfoot accounts describe a Gorilla-like creature, but there have reports of creatures similar to chimpanzees (Humanzee or Manzee), Orangatangs (Yeren), and other variations. Some terms used to describe them include Yeti, Abominable Snowman, Sasquatch, Almas, Skunk Ape, and many other terms.

Where is Bigfoot?
If you follow the reports, it can seem as though Bigfoot is everywhere. To date, there have been reported sightings of an "ape man" or Bigfoot-type creature in all of Canada and every single state within the US, with the exception of Hawaii. The state of Washington holds the current US record for reported sightings at 437, the last of which was in September of 2007. The Canadian record is held by British Columbia at 102. Stories of Bigfoot-like sightings are not restricted to the US and Canada. There have been sightings in China, Brazil, Russia, Malaysia, and various other countries around the world.

Any real research into Bigfoot?
Similar to the legitimacy and professionalism of TAPS in the world of paranormal investigation, there are a number of organizations striving to legitimize claims of Bigfoot and collect evidence from a more skeptical perspective. Though most have failed to find enough valid proof to convice the world of Bigfoot being a reality, many people and Cryptozoologists have spent their lives dedicating their time, energy to this research and putting their reputations on the line in an effort to uncover evidence of what they believe to be an endangered species. There are several established organizations, like the BFRO, which conduct exhibitions into the suspected hunting grounds of these creatures looking for proof. Interested individuals range from people with firsthand experience to dedicated skeptics, and everyone in between.

More information coming soon, this is just a taste.
Things here at ParanormalUnknown have become quite busy, but we plan to get back to regular blog submissions soon!