Identifying the... Mapinguary

Megatherium reconstruction.
Image credit Sloth Sanctuary.

Given the evidence and general consensus amongst cryptozoologists, it seems unthinkable to characterise the Mapinguary as anything other than a relict ground sloth. Even so, there are theories that it is actually a type of large primate - and even it it isn't, there are still dozens of different ground sloths. The Mapinguary, if a sloth, can only be a descendant of one.

Review: Destination Truth: Flying Dinosaur & Sloth Monster

Josh with another well-known model Mapinguary.
Image credit TVrage.com.

Although Destination Truth is the third review here, it does deserve credit as the first TV series to investigate the Mapinguary, being aired in 2008, two years before Beast Man and Man V. Monster.

As is the norm for Destination Truth, the first investigation, the Mapinguary, only takes up half the episode before being replaced by another cryptid - this time the African Kongamato. The beginning of the Mapinguary segment sees Josh visiting the famous Mapinguary statue (and some jaguars at a zoo), and the folklorologist who would later be cut from Beast Man. He also interviews David Oren, who tells him about his ground sloth theory. It seems rather rare for Josh to carry out research and interviews before looking for the animal itself, something which changes for the better in this episode.

Review: Beast Man: Nightmare of the Amazon

Pat with a well-known Mapinguary model in the city.
Image credit National Geographic.

Beast Hunter (titled Beast Man in the UK), although a short series - consisting of only five episodes - might just be the best cryptozoological TV series since MonsterQuest - in fact, it probably beats MonsterQuest.

The series follows biologist Pat Spain, great-nephew of Charles Fort, as he travels to five different locations around the world, searching for the local cryptid. Fort was an American scientist who researched phenomena such as ball lightning and raining fish, which were dismissed in his time but are now known to be fact.