Draft:Jonathon (Jon) Downes

Jonathan Downes (born 22nd August, 1959) is a true multi-talent—he’s a naturalist, cryptozoologist, author, editor, filmmaker, poet, novelist, activist, journalist, composer, and singer-songwriter. With a background in both radical politics and mental health care, he has dedicated his career to exploring fascinating and diverse fields. He is also the Director of the Centre for Fortean Zoology.

His passion for storytelling and discovery seems to run in the family. His father, J.T. Downes (1925–2006), was an explorer and Colonial Service Officer who authored books on topics ranging from African history and theology to the Devonshire dialect. His mother, Mary Downes (née Rawlins) (1922–2002), was a broadcaster and author who shared her love of Nigerian folklore through her published works under the pen name Yar Kunama.

Their professional backgrounds and experiences likely influenced Jonathan's interests in natural history and the unexplained.

According to his autobiography and other writings, he spent his childhood living in Nigeria and then in Hong Kong, which was a British Crown Colony at the time. In 1971, his family returned to the UK after his father left his position in the Hong Kong government due to health reasons. He attended Bideford Grammar School from 1971 to 1976 and later West Buckland School in 1976-1977, though his time there was cut short after being expelled.

Downes has authored several books on cryptozoology and related subjects, including "The Owlman and Others" and "The Monster of the Mere." His work often explores mysterious creatures and phenomena, blending scientific inquiry with a fascination for the unexplained.

Since 1994, he has been the editor of Animals & Men, the journal of the Centre for Fortean Zoology. In 2012, he also took on the role of editor for Gonzo Weekly, a digital music magazine. Over the years, he’s worn many editorial hats, including editing The Amateur Naturalist (formerly Exotic Pets) between 2007 and 2010, and the online magazine blog Cryptozoology: Online. From January 2003 to August 2007, he served as the Deputy Editor of Tropical World, a UK-based tropical fish magazine. Additionally, from 2012 to 2013, he edited UFO Matrix, published by 11th Dimension Publishing. Beyond these roles, he’s contributed to and edited numerous other publications throughout his career.

Since 2012, he has been the editor of the Gonzo Daily blog and the Gonzo Weekly e-zine, both in collaboration with Gonzo Multimedia (formerly Voiceprint Records).

He’s also actively involved in his local community and spent several years helping organize a monthly children's service at the village church in Woolfardisworthy, North Devon. As someone who has experienced manic depression, he’s a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and support.

On July 21, 2007, he married his second wife, Corinna Newton Downes. Together, they share a family that includes two stepdaughters and a cherished granddaughter.

Cryptozoology

In 1992, Jonathan Downes founded the Centre for Fortean Zoology, which is widely regarded as the world's largest cryptozoological research organization. He strongly believes that cryptozoology should be seen as a branch of mainstream zoology, not as part of paranormal research.

While he has written several books on UFOs and other Fortean topics—sometimes collaborating with his friend and colleague Nick Redfern—his passion lies in treating cryptozoology as a serious scientific discipline rather than something mystical or esoteric.

Jonathan Downes is a prominent figure in the field of cryptozoology, dedicating his life to the study and investigation of creatures that remain unrecognized by mainstream science. As the director of the Centre for Fortean Zoology (CFZ), which he founded in 1992, Downes has led numerous expeditions worldwide in search of elusive animals and has been instrumental in promoting cryptozoology as a legitimate branch of zoological science.

Under his leadership, the CFZ has become one of the world's largest cryptozoological research organizations. Downes emphasizes that cryptozoology should be considered a part of mainstream zoology rather than a branch of paranormal research. He has authored several books on the subject, including "The Owlman and Others," "The Monster of the Mere," and "Only Fools and Goatsuckers," which detail his investigations into various cryptids and unexplained phenomena.

In addition to his writing, Downes has edited and contributed to various publications, such as "Animals & Men," the journal of the CFZ, and the online magazine blog "Cryptozoology: Online." His work has been featured in multiple media outlets, and he has collaborated with other researchers, including Nick Redfern, to explore and document reports of mysterious creatures around the globe.

Downes's approach combines field research, historical analysis, and a commitment to scientific rigor, aiming to demystify reports of unknown animals and bring them into the realm of zoological study. His contributions have significantly advanced the field of cryptozoology, inspiring both public interest and academic inquiry into the mysteries of the natural world.

Books

• Take this Brother may it serve you well (1988)
• Riding the Waves (with Kim Andrews) (1990)
• El Grand Senor (with Kim Andrews) (1991)
• Road Dreams (1993)
• Smaller Mystery Carnivores of the Westcountry (1996)
• The Owlman and Others (ISBN:1-905723-02-4, 1997)
• The Rising of the Moon with Nigel Wright (ISBN:0-9544936-5-6, 1999)
• Weird Devon with Richard Freeman and Graham Inglis (ISBN:1-899383-38-7, 2000)
• UFOs over Devon (ISBN:1-899383-37-9, 2000)
• Weird War Tales with Nick Redfern (2000)
• Weird War Tales Volume 2 with Nick Redfern (2000)
• The Blackdown Mystery (ISBN:1-905723-00-8, 2000)
• Only Fools and Goatsuckers (ISBN:0-9512872-3-0, 2001)
• In the Beginning - Animals & Men Collected Editions Volume One (Ed)(2001)
• The Number of the Beast - Animals & Men Collected Editions Volume Two(Ed) (2001)
• The Monster of the Mere (ISBN:0-9512872-2-2, 2002)
• Monster Hunter (ISBN:0-9512872-7-3, 2004)
• Strength through Koi (ISBN:1-905723-04-0, 2006)
• The Call of the Wild - Animals & Men Collected Editions Volume Three (ISBN:978-1905723072, 2007)
• The Island of Paradise: Chupacabra, UFO Crash Retrievals, and Accelerated Evolution on the Island of Puerto Rico (ISBN:978-1905723324) (2008)
• The Song of Panne (Being Mainly about Elephants) (ISBN:978-1909488366) (2015)

This list showcases the diverse range of topics Jonathan Downes has explored throughout his writing career, from cryptozoology and Fortean subjects to personal narratives and collected editions.

Jonathan Downes’ best-known book is The Owlman and Others, which has become a bestseller. In his 2004 autobiography, Monster Hunter, he opens up about his struggles with substance abuse, as well as his accomplishments in the field of cryptozoology. Nick Redfern once described him as "Cryptozoology's answer to Hunter Thompson," though Downes has made it clear that this chapter of his life is behind him.

Beyond his books, he’s edited sixteen annual Yearbooks for the Centre for Fortean Zoology (CFZ) and published four annual issues of the Journal of Cryptozoology.

His 2007 book, Island of Paradise, takes a deep dive into his two expeditions to Puerto Rico, where he searched for the elusive chupacabra and other mysterious creatures. His most recent work, The Song of Panne, is a novel that showcases his creative storytelling.

Also, Nick Redfern’s 2004 book, Three Men Seeking Monsters, offers a fictionalized account of the adventures of Redfern, Downes, and Richard Freeman as they search for creatures like werewolves, lake monsters, giant cats, ghostly devil dogs, and ape-men.

Filmography

Here’s a friendlier version:

In his autobiography and other writings, Jonathan Downes shares that one of his earliest dreams was to make films. Over the years, he has created several, including:

• The "Case" for Crop Circles* (1997)

• The Owlman and Others* (2000)
• Eel or no Eel* (2006)
• The Lair of the Red Worm* (2007)
• The Dragons of Africa* (2007)
• The Savage Land* (2008)
• Mountains of Mystery* (2009)
• Riddle of the Hills* (2011)
• Emily and the Big Cats* (Cancelled, 2011)

Downes humorously admits that his first two films were far from his best work. He describes the first as "a load of avant-garde nonsense," and the second as "a seedy art movie" with a bizarre, over-the-top plot. However, his later films, which are part of the ongoing CFZtv project, reflect his evolving style. These films, created as part of what he calls "Guerrilla Journalism," are available for free on the CFZtv website, along with some of his music from his albums.

On the Track

In October 2007, Jonathan Downes launched a new CFZtv project: a monthly webTV show called On the Track, which provides the latest updates from the CFZ and the world of cryptozoology. The show is available on the CFZtv YouTube channel, and by December 7, 2012, the 63rd edition had been released, offering viewers a wealth of fascinating news and discoveries.

Musical career

1982 - 1996

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Jonathan Downes was active as a musician and performer, mainly with the cult art-rock band The Amphibians from Outer Space. As the lead singer and multi-instrumentalist (playing guitar, bass, and piano), he infused their performances with elements of psychodrama and performance art. His style was often described as a unique blend of Warren Zevon and Steve Harley.

1996 - 2008

After his divorce in 1996, which ended an eleven-year marriage to his first wife, Alison, Downes stepped back from the music scene to focus more on cryptozoology. Since then, he has only released a few records and performed live on a handful of occasions.

Here are some of the albums Jonathan Downes has released over the years:

• The Mistake with The Amphibians from Outer Space (1982)
• You Took Me Up (1984)
• Emotional Fascism (1984)
• Outside the Asylum with The Amphibians from Outer Space (1990)
• Breakfast with Brian Storer (1991)
• Pyramidiocy (1992)
• SexGodBaby with The Amphibians from Outer Space (1993)
• The Chicken Sleeps Tonight with The Amphibians from Outer Space (1993)
• The Case with The Amphibians from Outer Space (1995)
• Contractual Obligations with The Amphibians from Outer Space (1996)
• The Weird World with Fr Lionel Fanthorpe and The Amphibians from Outer Space (2000)
• Hard Sports (2002)
• Lost Weekend (2003)
• Twilight over England (2007)
• BiPolar (2011)
• The Man from Dystopia (2013)

While his focus shifted to cryptozoology, Downes’ musical legacy remains an important part of his creative journey.

Politics

Jonathan Downes describes himself as "basically an anarchist." As an artist, he was deeply influenced by the anarcho-punk band Crass, not necessarily by their music, but by their "do-it-yourself" (D-I-Y) attitude. He has always believed that "in many ways, it's more important to be heard than to get paid for it." This perspective has shaped the way he shares his work, with both the CFZ and his music and films following a broadly anarchist and libertarian approach to distribution.

Appearances in Media

• Penn & Teller: Bullshit! - Season 4 Episode 1: Cryptozoology[13]
• Lost Tapes - Season 1 Episode 8: Death Raptor
• Slenderman Killings: Beyond Evil (2016)