British scientist hopes for 'yeti hair' breakthrough

AFP, July, 2008

LONDON (AFP) — A British scientist said Monday he was anxiously awaiting the results of DNA tests on hair claimed to be from a yeti after initial examinations showed it had human and ape-like characteristics.

Ian Redmond, a biologist and expert in ape conservation, said the hairs found in the Indian jungle resembled samples collected by the conqueror of Everest, Sir Edmund Hillary, in the 1950s.

"Under the microscope, they look slightly human, slightly like an orang utang and slightly like the hairs brought back by Edmund Hillary," Redmond told AFP.

"These hairs remain an enigma. They could be a new species, but the DNA tests will hopefully tell us more."

The hairs were brought back from India this year by a BBC journalist, Alastair Lawson, who...