International Society of Cryptozoology

The International Society of Cryptozoology was a specialist organisation established to promote the systematic study of animals believed to exist on the basis of anecdotal, folkloric or incomplete zoological evidence. Founded in 1982 in Washington, D.C., it aimed to provide an academic and organisational framework for cryptozoologists, functioning as a central body for research, documentation and discussion. Although the society ceased activity in 1998, it played an influential role in shaping the field during its years of operation.

Origins and Purpose

The society emerged at a time when interest in unverified or little-known species was gaining momentum within scientific and public communities. Its founders sought to distinguish cryptozoology as a discipline grounded in biological inquiry rather than folklore alone. The organisation published a peer-reviewed journal, Cryptozoology, and maintained a newsletter to circulate updates and research discussions among members.
The society’s leadership consisted of well-known figures in the field. Bernard Heuvelmans served as president, with Roy Mackal acting as vice-president. The secretary, J. Richard Greenwell of the University of Arizona, was a key organisational figure until his death in 2005. Life, honorary and board members included Loren Coleman, John Willison Green and other prominent researchers whose work bridged speculative zoology and traditional natural history.
The official emblem was the okapi, an animal long known to local communities in Central Africa but formally recognised by European science only in 1901. This symbol characterised the society’s belief that some cryptids might likewise represent real animals not yet catalogued by zoology.

Publications and Activities

The society’s journal was issued from 1982 until 1996 and presented articles, reviews and discussions of animals considered unusual in form, size or range. The journal aimed to establish a scholarly tone by analysing reports and evidence in a disciplined manner. It described the society as a focal point for investigations relating to unexpected animal occurrences.
In addition to its journal, the society released ISC News, a newsletter containing brief reports, organisational updates and announcements. The journal and newsletter together formed the backbone of the society’s academic communication.
The organisation maintained an official website, active from 2004 until late 2005, even though the society itself had ceased operations several years earlier. Archived entries suggest limited updates, reflecting the society’s declining activity and eventual dissolution.

Decline and Closure

Financial difficulties ultimately led to the society’s disbandment in 1998. Without stable funding, publication and administrative work became unsustainable. As senior figures in the field retired or died, no institutional mechanism remained to sustain the society’s mission or provide continuity.
An interview in 2025 with science writer Sharon A. Hill highlighted the consequences of the society’s collapse. Hill argued that in the absence of an authoritative body to maintain methodological standards and define the scope of cryptozoological inquiry, the field became more diffuse. She suggested that after the 1990s, a surge in amateur interest—amplified by the rise of the Internet—broadened the concept of “cryptid” to encompass a wide range of creatures, often disconnected from zoological evidence. This shift, she maintained, helped fuel the contemporary resurgence of cryptid-related culture, where such entities proliferate in games, online media and creative communities.

Role in Cryptozoological Research

During its active years, the society sought to create a structured and rational approach to reports of unverified animals. Members attempted to analyse claims systematically, drawing on zoology, ecology and anthropology. While cryptozoology often faced criticism from the broader scientific community, the society positioned its work on the premise that unexplored regions and insufficiently studied ecosystems might still harbour unknown species.
The society’s journal emphasised cases involving animals of strikingly unusual traits or occurring outside known ranges. Topics included large aquatic animals, mysterious primates, unusually sized mammals and species thought to be extinct but reported anecdotally in remote locations.

Legacy and Contemporary Significance

Although the society dissolved in the late 1990s, its influence persists. The structured, evidence-oriented approach it advocated contributed to the documentation of zoological anomalies and encouraged critical examination of animal reports from around the world. Its emblem, the okapi, remains a symbolic reminder that scientific discovery sometimes validates long-standing local traditions.
With the growth of digital platforms, cryptozoology has evolved into a more decentralised phenomenon. The absence of the society’s gatekeeping role has contributed to expanded public engagement, with cryptids becoming widespread in popular culture. Yet the society’s historical publications continue to be referenced by researchers, historians of science and enthusiasts exploring the intersection of zoology, folklore and cultural belief.