Study Russian city 'Big legged picnic'

Officials of a Russian city yesterday announced they planned to set up a science institute to study snowmen, also known as large legged victims, despite scholars' objections.

Illustration of a snowman based on the witnesses' testimonies.
Photo: ghosttheory

' Setting up a institute or science center is a logical step in the process of studying snowmen, ' AFP quoted a statement in the statement of the city government of Kemerovo in western Siberia in Russia.

Siberia officials will announce the final decision after holding an international conference and snowmen this year.

Snowman or yeti (Bigfoot) is thought to be magical creatures shaped like primates, big legs and living in the Himalayas.

But many scholars believe that a snowy community is living in remote mountainous areas of Russia's Siberia region. Mountains in the south of Kemerovo are also said to be inhabited by snowmen. Kemerovo city officials say about 30 Russian scientists are studying snowmen. These people can work together in a new institute if it is established.

' We think snowmen are a separate branch in human evolution. They live in harmony with nature, 'said Igor Burtsev, one of Russia's top mysterious animal researchers.

Burtsev once told the ITAR-TASS news agency that the new institute will be under Kemerovo University.

Kemerovo University quickly rejected Burtsev's statement.

' Studying snowmen is not a concern for scientists at Kemerovo University ', the school's leadership affirmed.

Kemerovo is using stories about snowmen to promote tourism. The city government organizes the annual Snow Festival. During the festival this year the city held a meeting when sculpting snowmen.