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Unfortunately, not all cryptids are just myth and legend like bigfoot, some cryptids are real animals that are now generally believed to be extinct but some people still claim to have sighted them.

Some examples:

Steller's Sea Cow - These large sea mammals were discovered in the cold waters of the North Pacific in 1741. Sadly the conventional wisdom is that these giant manatee like animals were hunted to extinction less than 30 years after their discovery.

Tasmanian Tiger - The largest known carnivorous marsupial. It resembled a dog like animal with stripes. The last known living example is thought to have died on 7 September 1936 in captivity.

Chinese River Dolphin - Species of small dolphins found only in the Yangtze river in China that rapidly declined during the last few decades. The last confirmed sighting of one of these dolphins was in 2004. A recent expedition in 2006 did not find any and the general consensus is that they are in all likely hood extinct.

Topic ideas for discussion:
Why do people claim to have seen some of these? Could they really still be out there or are these just tall tales? Perhaps people are just hoping against hope that these animals aren't gone for good.

Do you believe in any legendary cryptids such as Bigfoot, Yetis, or the Loch Ness Monster?

Talk about any other animals that are relatively unknown and questions still exist as to their status.

*waits for Iris to read the post*

xd

I agree that Yetis are much more likely than Bigfoot because of the inhospitable and extremely remote locations it is said to inhabit. I don't lend much credence to either of them but I do like the idea of these strange and elusive creatures lurking just beyond our ability to capture or spot them.

I'd love to hear that a hidden enclave of Steller's Cows were discoved alive but sadly I don't think that's likely either. There may still be a legitimate chance that the Chinese River Dolphin still survives though. There have been other species that were believed to be extinct for years only to emerge later on. I truly hope this is the case for the dolphins.

I know, it's so sad about the dolphins and they didn't get the media attention they deserved. sad
We can always hope.

The quagga story sounds interesting. It reminds me of the story of the Barbary Lion, a subspecies of lion that once roamed North Africa. Scientists thought they were extinct but then it was discovered that some still lived in captivity in zoos and circuses.

gonk

I certainly know what you mean. It would be so awesome if something like the Loch Ness Monster were actually found. 3nodding

Even if they aren't really out there I think it's really fun to speculate.

Here's an artist's rendition of a Steller Sea Cow: