Rumors of Skunk Ape Give Businesses a Boost

Rumors of Skunk Ape Give Businesses a Boost

October 31, 2003

By VINCE LENNON
6 News Reporter

CAMPBELL COUNTY (WATE) -- On Halloween, it's time to think about ghosts, goblins and witches. But if you're in Campbell County, it may be time to think about the skunk ape.

After investigations by the sheriff's department and a UT biologist, people are still talking and looking for a so-called skunk ape. But others are cashing in on the monkey business.

"I've had a few people come in because of the skunk ape," said Party City Manager Steve Huffaker.

An Exxon gas station in Campbell County Friday offered signs that it had the captured skunk ape. "I don't know if its true or not," said cashier Crystal Dopp. "But we're having fun with it anyways."

Also capitalizing on the monkey craze was LaFollette's People's National Bank. Vice President David Reynolds said their newspaper ad ads have earned a lot of interest.

"We've had a lot of laughs and people calling. Nothing negative. Some people thought it might be a little too much to carry on with the monkey in the ad here. But we thought it would bring on some laughs."

No new sightings of the skunk ape have ben reported in the last 10 days. And tests from stool samples have proved inconclusive.

The next step for crypto-zoological investigators is DNA testing on suspected hair samples.

Campbell County residents where the most sightings have occurred said they believe the creature has left since their farm animals are acting "normal" again.