Gareth Patterson is an award-winning environmentalist, wildlife researcher, public speaker, and author who is known internationally for his efforts to greater protect the lions and elephants of Africa. Born in England, he grew up in wild areas of western, eastern, and southern Africa. Several of his books about his life with lions and elephants have been published in many languages and editions. Gareth’s work for Africa’s wildlife has been featured in the media worldwide, as well as in international documentaries. During the 2000s, Gareth rediscovered and studied the most southerly free-roaming elephants in the world: the highly endangered and elusive Knysna elephants of the southern Cape, South Africa. It was during this time that he became aware of the existence of mysterious relict hominoid beings known to the Knysna forest people as the ‘Otang’. Beyond the Secret Elephants is Gareth’s twelfth book.
Gareth Patterson
Wildlife Researcher and Author
Beyond the Secret Elephants
Of Mysterious Relict Hominoids and Elusive Legendary Elephants
By Gareth Patterson
Gareth Patterson rediscovered the most southerly elephants in the world, the highly endangered and secretive Knysna elephants of the southern Cape, South Africa. It was during this time that he also made the startling discovery of a being even more mysterious than the Knysna elephants – a relict hominoid known to the Knysna forest people as the ‘Otang’.
Gareth was at first reluctant to blur the remarkable story of the Knysna elephants with his findings about the otang,
That is, until now.
The possible existence of relict hominoids is today gaining momentum world-wide with ongoing research into the Sasquatch in North America, the Yeti in the Himalayas, the Yowie in Australia and the Orang Pendek in Sumatra. Eminent conservationists and scientists – among them Dr. Jane Goodall, Dr. George Schaller, Dr. Ian Redmond, Professor Jeff Meldrum and Professor Gregory Forth – have publicly stated that they are open-minded about the possible existence of these cryptid beings.
In the course of his unannounced research into the otang Gareth heard many accounts – mostly spontaneous and unprompted – of otang sightings by others in the area over a number of years. These accounts, documented in this book, are astonishingly consistent both in the descriptions of the otang and in the shocked reactions of the individuals who saw them.
Gareth Patterson’s work supports the increasing realization that humankind still has much to learn about the natural world and the mysteries it holds. The possibility that we may be sharing our world with other as yet unidentified hominoids is today being viewed as something that should not be discounted. And as humankind, we need to reassess our role and responsibility towards all forms of life that coexist with us on planet Earth.
Beyond the Secret Elephants continues the story of Patterson’s search for and eventual familiarity with the remaining Knysna elephants, while also revealing…the presence of an even more legendary creature, a relict hominoid known to the indigenous people as the otang.
Dr. Jeff Meldrum. Professor of Anatomy and Anthropology, Idaho State University
…it is impressive when a renowned field researcher writes a book like Beyond the Secret Elephants – following in the erudite footsteps of the late Lyall Watson…
Ian Redmond OBE
Tobe Johnson: Paranormal Podcaster and Expert
Host of Strange Brau Radio. Strange Brau is a premier paranormal pub podcast. SBR seeks to give voices to those that might not otherwise have them, and what better place then a historic pub. For it's in the "pub" or the Public House where secret stories have always been told...one pint at time.
I have been a Bigfoot researcher in the state of Minnesota for over 30 years, dedicated to the pursuit of a giant hairy upright walking manlike or apelike creature that keeps being encountered by scores of people year after year but has even more people scoffing and insisting that it can not and does not exist.
— Mike Quast
Mike Quast: Bigfoot Researcher
Born in 1967, Michael John Quast is a lifelong resident of Minnesota who grew up on a dairy farm, achieved a degree in Commercial Art, and is employed in a maintenance position for a school system. He makes his home in the city of Moorhead, across the Red River from Fargo, North Dakota.
Since childhood, he has had a deep interest in the paranormal, especially cryptozoology, which was bolstered by his own sighting of a Bigfoot in 1976. Since graduating high school, he has traveled extensively throughout Minnesota, seeking out and investigating Bigfoot reports and exploring wilderness areas in a physical search for the creatures.
He is the author of five previous books on the subject as well as the editor of the former newsletter “Sasquatch Report.”
Kenney W. Irish: Cryptopunkologist and Children's Author
Kenney W. Irish AKA "The Cryptopunkologist," is an author, hardcore/punk musician and sales/marketing professional. Originally from the northern parts of Vermont, he has recently re-located to the beautiful Adirondacks area of upstate New York. He has a lifelong love of folklore, legends, monsters, and U.F.O stories. He has regularly attended and spoke at writers groups, and various other platforms across the country.
He has a passion for writing young readers chapter books, and released two publications to date. The most recent with DMP, generating high volume sales and distribution. In late 2020, he signed with BEYOND THE FRAY PUBLISHING, and in March of 2021 released AMERICAN CRYPTIDS In Pursuit of the Elusive Creatures. This publication became a #1 bestseller on Amazon, and has out performed all other material in it's genre.
He's also an explorer for the New York Bigfoot Society. The Cryptopunk has appeared on numerous radio shows and podcasts such as, Coast to Coast AM, Midnight FM, the Jim Harold Show, and The Leak Project Network. He has recently filmed, and appears in the national TV show, HAUNTED HOSPITALS for The Travel Channel. You can also catch him as co-host for the NYBS radio show along side Gary Robusto.
Ronald C Meyer: Science Fiction Author
Ronald C Meyer was born in Appleton, Wisconsin where, at the age of 10, he had a powerful oneness with nature experience. Shortly thereafter he began collecting fossils, which became a lifelong passion. In the process he made a number of world-class discoveries. Eventually the study of biological evolution activated a force that has driven his life ever since. In the early 80s he began practicing Aikido and became a fifth degree black belt
Career wise, Ron pioneered early biofeedback studies in human sensory systems and early childhood development at the University of Wisconsin's cybernetic lab. He then made a career switch, forming a film production company that produced programs for public television. In the mid-80s he moved to Boulder Colorado and acquired a video distribution company, Centre Communications.
Ron has produced and/or directed four feature films and numerous award-winning educational programs and documentary series that have sold over a million copies.
He is also the co-author of two bestselling books on Aikido: Aikido in America and Center: The Power of Aikido. His written two thrillers incorporating the evolutionary perspective..
Ron lives in Boulder Colorado with his wife of 25 years, Diane Evans. He has two wonderful children, Joel and Anna.
Mark Reeder: Science Fiction Author
Mark Reeder lives in Boulder, Colorado, where he works as a writer and associate producer for the video production company Centre Communications. His educational programs – Hispanic Achievement in America and Women’s Achievement in America – have appeared on PBS national television.
He’s kicked around the universe long enough to have more than a few bumps and bruises.
Roughed up and battered like his hat, he’s still looking for the exit.