DROP BEARS -

(Phascolarctos Hodgsonii) also listed as (Thylarctos plummetus)

Probably the next most famous 'mythical' creature in W.A. to the bunyip is the Drop Bear.

Described as a large muscular carnivorous koala with large canine teeth, the tales of the Drop Bear have long been used to frighten gullible tourists sitting around a campfire late at night in the remote outback.

The Drop Bear is said to leap down from trees on to its unwary prey sinking its huge fangs into the top of its' victim's skull.

It is often said that smearing vegemite or toothpaste behind the ears will put off any Drop Bear attacks.

Although difficult to determine the origins of this 'myth' it has been suggested that it was first used to deter people (children especially) from sleeping under gum trees - as the trees can drop heavy limbs without warning and are referred to as 'widow makers'.

An original image taken at great personal risk!

At one time there were animals twice the size of the modern day koala living in trees. It is quite possible that an animal not unlike that described by this myth did in fact actually exist.

Stories of Drop Bears are usually delivered with a serious demeanour and overseas visitors may have difficulty establishing fact from fiction as most Australians are aware of the Drop Bear joke and are more than ready to confirm its existence to visitors.

In recent times it seems that the Drop Bear has developed a number of sub-species which include the Common, Burrowing, Alpine and even an Aquatic sub type with webbed feet and hands, that drops on swimmers from trees overhanging peaceful waterways.

Just when you think you are sure the Drop Bear is just a myth, we include the following warning about Drop Bears that is quoted from the website : www.thetsf.org.au (Site no longer exists)

'As you can imagine, admitting their existence would cause some degree of panic, and destroy parts of Australia's eco-tourism industry overnight. It is for this reason that all government departments will, and have denied any knowledge of the existence of the Drop Bear, and are likely to continue to do so in the future. Being an avid outdoor enthusiast, and having contact with people who spend a large proportion of their time outdoors, I have gathered together scraps of information from sources all around the country, linking Drop Bear involvement to such events as the disappearance of Azaria Chamberlain, the death of Captain James Cook in Hawaii, several war-time incidents in northern Australia, the disappearance of a group of cross-country skiers in the Victorian Alps, and the deaths of a number of hikers, canoeists, 4WDrivers, campers, sunbathers and swimmers throughout the country. These 'accidents' are often reported as crocodile attacks, falls from cliffs, exposure, and in the Chamberlain case, dingoes were blamed. I have it on good authority in all of these cases, however, that a government cover-up was at work to dispel rumours of Drop Bear attacks and hide the truth from the public.'

To find out more about drop bears you can visit Australian Museum.

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