It is believed that BF have the same ability to release a foul odor from glands, perhaps under their armpits, as Gorillas do. As Dian Fossey detailed in her book "Gorillas in the Mist", this odor was released when the gorillas were frightened or felt a strong sense of 'fear'.
If BF does indeed have this same capability, then it would explain why no smell at all was noticed in some encounters, and a horrible smell was noticed in other encounters.
If my memory serves me correctly, the female gorillas do not emit as strong a 'fear' odor as the males do. Again, this may be a similiar trait that is found in Sasquatches.
It may even hold that this is more of an individualistic aspect too. Whereas some BF would frighten more easily than others, and therefore would release this 'fear' odor more frequently.
The odor is also thought to have an aspect of discouraging whatever is following it. Just as a skunk will do.
Posted on Mar 28, 2002, 11:22 AM from IP address 216.174.3.79