Bigfoot in Malaysia?

Jan. 29, 2006 — -- Amid reports of Bigfoot sightings in the jungles of southern Malaysia, the Malaysian government is trying to track down the legendary monster.

Headlines in Kuala Lumpur have been filled in recent weeks with news of the sightings. The local government is taking the reports so seriously that it's launching what may be the world's first government-sponsored effort to track down the mysterious creature.

Park officials are even offering Bigfoot sighting tours.

To many people, Bigfoot is the stuff of nightmarish folklore. He's been described by hundreds of alleged eyewitnesses as an ape-like creature that stands nearly eight feet tall and weighs more than 500 pounds. His name comes from the 17-inch-long footprints he leaves behind.

Some Canadians say the giant is real. They call him Sasquatch. Just six months ago residents of the small town of Teslin reported seeing a big shaggy creature that left behind a stinky tuft of hair and huge footprints.

In the Himalayas he's an "abominable snowman" called a Yeti.

Australian aboriginals call him a Yowie, but his existence has not been proved.

In the 1987 movie "Harry and the Hendersons," Bigfoot wasn't the scary monster we've all heard about. He turned out to be a friendly giant that became a beloved part of the family.

The most famous caught-on-camera footage, from 1967, was debunked after the family of the photographer admitted it was someone in an ape suit.