Canadian in Utah to seek 'strange creatures seldom seen'

SALT LAKE CITY — John Warms is on a monstrous quest for "strange creatures seldom seen."

The 65-year-old researcher from Manitoba, Canada, visited Utah recently, hoping to hear firsthand tales of legendary beasts.

A retired public school teacher, Warms is working to publish a new book on "Strange Creatures."

"I'm certain they exist," based on many expeditions and interviews, Warms told the Deseret News.

Warms is one of many proponents of such creatures but one of few to take a special interest in purported creatures that may reside in the Beehive State.

Last week, Warms drove to Utah in search of its alleged water creatures, like the Bear Lake Monster and other strange beasts allegedly spotted in the Great Salt Lake in the 19th century.

Depending on what he finds, he hopes to write a book and enhance his Web site, which he hopes will break new ground with previously untold stories about sightings of strange creatures.

Warms isn't well known in the monster quest field just yet, but depending on what he finds in Utah and other places, that could change.

Living with Canada's Fairford River in his backyard, he's heard many tales of strange creatures — from the traditional serpents to giant prehistoric beavers.

These gigantic beavers are his favorite focus.

Though believed to be extinct for over 10,000 years, these are scientifically named "castorides Ohioensis" and can grow to up to 9 feet tall and weigh 440 pounds. He stresses that the fact that these giant beavers actually existed makes some of his claims much more plausible.

"I have encountered people in northern Manitoba and along the Alaska Highway who claim to have seen the bear-sized creature," he said. "I saw one in southern Manitoba, swimming, and the head was about basketball size. They seldom come ashore; that is why we don't know about them."

In Utah, Warms is especially interested in Bear Lake. Because it is a deep — 200-plus feet — body of water, its probabilities of harboring a Loch Ness caliber monster seems quite probable to Warms.

He also talked of a recent creature sighting in Lake Powell, where a woman described what Warms believes is another giant beaver.

"Lake Powell was an isolated sighting," he said. "I am sure many more people must have seen them around but perhaps didn't want to be laughed at."