About this episode
First Sasquatch Captured A veterinarian specializing in large animals graduates from the University of Kentucky and opens a private practice in 1995 before joining Tennessee's Elk Reintroduction Program in 2000. There, he monitors radio-collared elk in the North Cumberland Wildlife Area, aiding in anti-poaching efforts and tracking migrations. On September 19, 2017, an erratic signal from a dominant bull elk's collar leads him, a game warden named Rick, and park ranger Brian into the woods to investigate. Tracking blood trails and fleeting signals, they stumble upon carnage from the elk's leg and pursue what seems like a poacher. Instead, an elderly Native American medicine man, the Ayunini, emerges offering the collar, explaining that the Tsul’Kalu—a reclusive, hairy, ape-like creature allied with his people—took the elk to feed its newborn mate. When Rick arrests the man, a massive, nine-foot-tall beast with black eyes, flattened nose, and muscular build roars from the shadows. The vet fires two tranquilizer darts, allowing them to collect samples before the creature staggers away. The medicine man vanishes, leaving behind only discarded handcuffs and fog. Government agents in black SUVs soon confiscate their phones, packs, and evidence, enforcing a cover story of feral dogs killing the elk and threatening their jobs. Digital backups mysteriously vanish, prompting the vet to resign and reopen his practice. He reflects on the secrecy surrounding two Sasquatch tribes—the peaceful, human-avoiding Tsul’Kalu and the predatory Judaculla—questioning the government's motives while vowing to seek answers independently. Join my Supporters Club for $4.99 per month for exclusive stories: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/what-if-it-s-true-podcast--5445587/support