INTERVIEW: Travel Channel’s ‘Expedition Bigfoot’ finds new evidence that will blow the mind
Photo: Expedition Bigfoot features Dr. Mireya Mayor, a primatologist. Photo courtesy of Travel Channel / Provided by press site with permission.
The Expedition Bigfoot team is back on Travel Channel for another set of episodes searching for the lost primate in the wilds of the United States. The group consists of Russell Acord, Ronny LeBlanc, Bryce Johnson and Dr. Mireya Mayor, and audiences can check out their adventures starting Sunday, Jan. 3 at 8 p.m. with a kickoff special. Then the second season officially begins at 9 p.m.
“We’ve got the new evidence special premiering right before we launch season two of the investigation,” Mayor said in a recent phone interview. “We go over the evidence that we collected last year and talk about the main pieces of information that we found and update fans on some of the analysis that took place during this time, so we bring them up to speed. This year we went to a 75,000-acre swath of Appalachian forest in southeast Kentucky where we were able to find — without giving away too much — some incredibly new evidence. I personally was able to film something that to this day is still blowing my mind. I think that there’s some unexpected twists that are really going to throw everyone for a loop. It’s an exciting season.”
Mayor is an accomplished primatologist who has traveled the world for research purposes and various TV projects. She was a Fulbright scholar and National Science Foundation fellow. Her bachelor’s degree comes from the University of Miami, and she earned a PhD from Stony Brook University. She is currently director of the Exploration and Science Communication Initiative at Florida International University.
Although she’s been around the world and back again, the terrain in Kentucky on the new season was extremely difficult to navigate, like nothing she’s ever experienced before.
“I can tell you that as a human species it is incredibly challenging, and that’s saying a lot because I spent the last 20 years trekking through the Amazon and rainforests in Madagascar and deep in the heart of the Congo,” she said. “And this was really grueling terrain, which for an animal that is potentially trying to remain hidden, is absolutely perfect, but what made it especially unique is that we did it during this global pandemic, which if you’ve been following the news you know that animals all over the world were behaving very strangely. Very rare and elusive animals were coming out of hiding. They were showing up in places that they had never been seen before, even in major cities, coupled with the fact that where we start off in Kentucky was an old abandoned mining area where animals had been driven out. And now nature has reclaimed itself where you’ve got bears that are back in the area, deer that are back in the area. All of this wildlife is just thriving there, and the environment is thriving there. It just presented the perfect opportunity to do the search there.”
On the team, it’s clear that Mayor represents the sciences, meaning she needs evidence and appreciates that not everything points to the existence of Bigfoot. As she likes to say, she’s an open-minded skeptic.
“As a scientist, you have to have a healthy amount of skepticism, but good science requires a certain level of open-mindedness in order to really look and analyze data,” said Mayor, who is the author of Pink Books and a Machete: My Journey From NFL Cheerleader to National Geographic Explorer. “There are things that science cannot explain, and that’s probably the best way for me to say that. There are things that I saw, there are things that I experienced, there are things that happened while we were out there that science alone could not explain, but it was definitely happening. And you have to take all of those things into account.”
The primatologist counts herself as detail-oriented, and during the filming she recognized that her partners would jump to conclusions quicker than she would. Rather than instantly believing Bigfoot was in the vicinity, she would consider the many other options in nature.
“Unless I see something that tells me it was definitely a Bigfoot, I am going to have to first rule out everything else that could have possibly done it,” she said. “It’s definitely a very challenging territory, but my objective and my job as a scientist is to keep feet firmly planted on the ground and truly take a scientific approach to the research.”
That said, Mayor is happy to report that the “evidence” this time around is in the “mind-blown” category. She wouldn’t divulge too many details, and a few items are still under analysis, but she did allow this: “I can tell you that it really changed me as a person and has made me even more committed to the search. … I am not a gambler, but what I will say is that if you asked me is it possible, then the answer is absolutely it is possible.”
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Expedition Bigfoot, featuring Dr. Mireya Mayor, returns to Travel Channel with a special kickoff Sunday, Jan. 3 at 8 p.m., followed by the season two premiere at 9 p.m. Click here for more information.
These people are such idiots. Leave big foot alone these are sentient beings like you and me.
I don’t think there idiot at there intelligent men and one woman and the research theses people are doing is very important. Keep up the fantastic work and stay safe.
I just love the shell looking forward to watching more episodes do you know when they’ll be back on in the month of February or March new episodes
How come we get more actual footage from amateurs on paranormal activity? I’ll tell you they are not reliant on sponsors or government officials ready to confiscate any real proof! Why would all of these “experts” with their Hight-tech equipment find squat, nada, zilch..nothing but conjecture! Why is bigfoot only a Ninja on the PRO Shows …SMH
Expedition Bigfoot is really fascinating. There is with no doubt some undiscovered creature roaming the Pacific northwest that walks upright and on 2 feet. All you that keep knocking what these people are doing that doesn’t believe such a creature could exist then stop watching stop whining. The day is coming and that day is in the very near future that will finally shut you people up, well maybe no definitely not the Trump trash. Bigfoot is real, aliens are real and the religious communities are going to get a really rude awakening when they find out their belief systems are all shot down in flames. Hey i believe in God just not the god Trump supporters worship.
God you are terrible at your job lady
How come we get more actual footage from amateurs on paranormal activity? I’ll tell you they are not reliant on sponsors or government officials ready to confiscate any real proof! Why would all of these “experts” with their Hight-tech equipment find squat, nada, zilch..nothing but conjecture! Why is bigfoot only a Ninja on the PRO Shows …SMH
This is a wonderful show and these people are experts who will not jump to conclusions for every little thing they see or hear. They only look for fact where as amateur’s only look for attention. If you believe what you see from amateur video then you’re the idiot. If these things can be proven then they can be protected.
Most people act like theres know great pics but you expect these creatures to just stand there fore a nice close pic it’s not going to happen there going to stay as far away as possible that’s why you need night vision cameras other cameras that can see farther an clearer more DNA evidence that the average person doesn’t understand or believe theres alot of forest in this country to hide an what people should do go look at the film fom 1967 I think Rodger Patterson film you can see muscles moving on the creature if you put a suit on that wouldn’t happen watch leg movements that’s something different than a human but come to your own conclusions
In their “nest” scene they show limbs cut with a bow saw. This show is Clickbait.
Lmao you are spot on…..such a joke…
I watched the shows I never saw anything like cut branches if you dont want to believe fine but theres a helluva lot of things alive in this world that would scare living hell out of you an more there trying to bring back jurrasic park isnt as far off as you want to believe
Lol what a joke
Taking soil samples for DNA on ground yet never taking branches from so called “ nests “. All times the sound comes in, not music just noise meant to alert watchers FEAR IS ALL AROUND. Bigfoot stories had been around for centuries, to-date not one tiny shred of evidence has shown the legend to be factual. No bones, dead bodies, scat has ever been found. That should tell any thinking person there’s no such creature. I suppose for some it’s fun to believe.
I am from Southeast ky born and raised in bell co we lived a little place called new town outside Pineville we lived down this dirt road me and my sister hade walk to store like we did all the time after dark on the way back from store we were just laughing and cutting them all of a sudden something down by the creek started chasing us we did not see anything it was to dark it came through that thicket like. it was nothing no human could done that we just tuck off running never will forget that sound you could tell it was big we thought it was going to come up in road and cut us off their was no bears or deer around there we made it home we tuck a short cut up to house it went straight never been so scread in my life the year was probably about 1970 we did not know what a Bigfoot was never went to store after dark again
They are huge but shy, they or “it” simply wanted to manifest their presence to you and your sister. I am convicted that they just wanted to be felt or “seen”. If they meant harm, they could have ambushed you and shredded you to bits without warning. I liked your story.
Thank You for the time, science, teamwork and the exiting footage. Is ok to be a skeptic, however, nothing is impossible and all is probable. Good Luck, Stay safe.
Survivorman, Josh Gates, BRO, Bigfoot expedition…how many years of expertise amongst them?(50 +yrs) how much actual proof…footprints
Hey Peter , What Do when Bigfoot is your Backyard,And Take your Dog or Other Animals that have , and Take Them, you Goin to Leave Bigfoot Alone, think About that , and Bigfoot keep coming back, to get your Animals, now Who Idiot, Rancher, Joe, Oregon
My comment is to Peter and Al. First of all why are you watching the show? If you don’t believe or at least have an open mind about sasquatch that’s fine. By calling Doctor Mayra an idiot shows your level of education ( not very smart). I admire the fact that she is willing to put her reputation on the line to possibly put an end to all the skeptics. This is the first bigfoot show that has some credibility to it. I wish them all the best and hope they can prove once and for all that it’s real.
Credibility? How so, please explain.(please my prior comments before answering).
P.S. I believe the existence, just not the ineptness of call the shows not named PARANORMAL ACTIVITY CAUGHT ON CAMERA!
Perfectly said!!!
You must be an English teacher
Strange how NO1 IS TALKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT,THEY JUST CONFIRMED PRIMATES IN THE WOODS 1000 FT IN FRONT OF THEM w/This new Technology!! It made my night THAT MUCH BETTER!! Cause I KNOW THEY R OUT THERE!!
So did you start season 2 & then move it exclusively to this streaming Discovery channel so we have to pay to watch? My thanks from a household where both spouses lost their jobs to COVID.
Right? Wondering where episodes 3 to…. went?!?!?!
In 2002 on Middle Mountaln near Pagosa Springs, Colorado, I was elk hunting with three others. Rules were simple. Stay close to camp and use GPS. One guy who had never hunted elk and spent time in the mountains got lost.
At 2200 hours my buddy and I couldn’t sleep because our third buddy didn’t come back from his night hunt.
At that time we were current law enforcement officers from out-of-state. We had our service weapons as we hiked a known trail in the dark with a full moon.
Half an hour passes. I’m following my buddy and literally a horrific smell caught me. My buddy stopped in front of me and whispered “what is that smell, god it’s going to make me vomit.”
As we stood still, ten yards into the dark timber we heard movement. We listened as there was no wind or single noise other then us two.
We could feel a vibration on the ground and listened to something walking away, further into the timber. It was heavy and walked on two feet.
As it left we didn’t hear it anymore and the smell lingered way less. We both considered shooting into the direction of the noise but we were not in imminent fear of attack.
We walked back to camp. Since it was a mild night we made a plan to search in the morning. Fortunately our missing buddy walked back to camp at 0830 hours.
Needless to say to this day we never went public with this. First time mentioned.
Needless to say it has never stopped me from being in the mountains or woods.
why avent they got nite vision goggles so wen there walking at nite and they ave said they can feel another presence they can see and so could we ???
Night vision can’t see through trees, rocks, walls, etc. Obviously you don’t venture in the woods much to realize that most times you can’t see 5 feet in front of you let alone in heavy forest. Too many credible witnesses, history, encounters to dismiss, and they have obvious intelligence. Very few incidents of attacks on humans. I think if they had murderous intent there would be human body parts everywhere in the forest. They avoid, harass humans to get them out of the area. Probably smart enough to know humans have a tendency to kill things for fun/sport. Native Americans have oral histories detailing many encounters with Bigfoot over hundreds if not thousands of years. Now we may have the tech to actually authenticate their existence, without murdering one, I hope.
This was an excellent, thought provoking series, and unlike some series out there, I found them all to be totally believable …. I thought some things were lost through editing, but overall, I found the series to be credible. However, what has happened to Season3 and why are the Travel Channel possibly not going to renew? It’s obviously been filmed already …. what happened to all the evidence sent for investigation from Season 2 ….. why would Travel Channel not renew the 3rd season, this is what I find the most frustrating about these programmes. They show enough to keep you watching and then decide if, or when, they will show the next season.
U all missed it on s2e5 when Ronnie was sitting on log at night by the nest and he heard knocks a log flew by him.how did u miss it
S2e5 Ronnie is sitting on log listeninto knocks an movment an a log choots behind him
MireYa MAYOR Its Ariana i chated with you in the first season! gongradulation you cracked the ignema!!!! take a bow! you did it honey!!! your video! is proff
you single handedly broke (the Bigfoot Phenomine)!!!! you caught a Bigfoot his family of white orbs over his head the littler white lights might have been spirit guides to guide him in this demision!!!! thats y they are so elusive!!! their flesh blood creatures with the ability to change,from flesh to spirit and interdemionsonal beings. coming and going.from this plaine to another! you discovered it all on tape!!!! its over!!! hurray! 2021 bigfoot solved!!!
These people are a joke .Looks like they’ll give anyone a tv show the female so called expert is making the show hard to watch she’s such a idiot I believe there are big foots but these group of misfits will never come close to seeing one ever..
Supposed experts? They see deer and elk on thermal and claim it could be bigfoot. Run from bears but run towards noises supposedly made by bigfoot. Back away from creatures on thermal then later go into the woods later without thermal chasing noises. It absolutely makes no sense whatsoever. In addition members leave camp in the middle of the night without a radio or notifying others members at camp. This is something you would never do especially supposed experts.
I have extensive experience in the forest. I have heard tree knocks and seen things I can’t explain. I believe there are such creatures, but it won’t be this group of people that find one. They simply have no credibility with those of us familiar in the wild forested places. This show goes along with many other Discovery productions that are purely for entertainment purposes only and are scripted from beginning to end.
Your funny….
Love this show, fascinating, they have great experts to do the analogies on evidence, and the last episode season 2 they finally got evidence of huge footprints !!
so looking forward to next season!
Great group of experts and keep up they great work guys!
Where did the footage go that they got of the Sasquatch captured on the surveillance camera they left on the mountain at the end of season 1? They got renewed for another season, so Discovery, who is not to be trusted, buried it? Remember it is a produced show.
What a joke! Why can’t these fools find big foot? There are so many documented reports of “normal people” having encountered with the Elusive “Bigfoot”. Yet these fools can’t find him!
Get another day job!!!
No such creature has EVER been proved inconclusively . The vocals are usually Moose or Bear and it’s quite obvious if you are familiar with those sounds . Each vocal they have is typical Forest sounds , yes trees fall and make noise and some trees even make a groaning sound that’s been proved over and over. I have live in the forest 25 years and trust me there are lots of strange noises that the animals and trees make. I have video of trees moaning. If they exist why is there no photos and no video, no skeletons have ever been found nothing but imprints in ground which can be cause by numerous creatures and weather patterns . No conclusive proof for a hundred years. If they existed someone would find dead bodies with massive hair , skeletons and have legit footage not the fake stuff.