Bernard Heuvelmans
Bernard Heuvelmans (1916–2001) was a Belgian-French scientist, author, and explorer widely recognized as the "father of cryptozoology". He coined the term for the study of "hidden" or unknown animals, such as the Loch Ness Monster, yeti, and sea serpents, with his seminal 1955 book On the Track of Unknown Animals. Heuvelmans aimed to bring scientific rigor to the study of reports regarding creatures not yet recognized by traditional zoology.