The cast of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! may have to watch their back as there have been sightings of an Aussie Bigfoot in the jungle.
The ITV show is filmed in Australia at Springbrook National Park in Murwillumbah, New South Wales, which is a "hotspot" for Yowie activity, according to experts.
But what are Yowies? Researcher on the subject of relict hominids and runner of SquatchMeNow Trey Howell shared his description of the creatures which are said to be "large and hairy".
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He told us: "Yowies are thought to be large, hairy, relict hominids indigenous to Australia. Often described as being aggressive. Many reports claim they only have three toes on each foot which could be the result of a low population inbreeding or some sort of environmental adaptation."
"Globally, comparable creatures that are the subject of the broader Bigfoot phenomenon have a long history from indigenous folklore to modern reports around the world of attacking and sometimes taking humans.
"Today, often these reports occur in National Parks do anyone venturing into the areas should travel in groups and maintain situational awareness keeping children close by. Especially considering that Yowie have a reputation for aggressive behaviour."
Daily Star also spoke to some Yowie experts who claim to have personally spotted the creatures in the ITV jungle. Australian Yowie Research founder Dean Harrison his knowledge with us about the creatures.
The Yowie pro explained: "I have so many experiences with the Yowies there at Springbrook. It’s a hotspot for them. Springbrook is where we took the thermal images of them a couple of years ago. Two of them were not far from our base camp at 11pm.
"I know the area of I'm A Celebrity, it sits just below Springbrook near a town called Dungay Creek. It’s definitely Yowie Country and is surrounded by Yowie reports."
Dean also told us about how ITV crew who worked on the 2016 series experienced some unexplained behaviour which he says could be attributed by Yowies. He explained: "I have heard of previous staff on the I'm A Celebrity set becoming rattled and nervous about noises emanating from the forest at night, footsteps in the dark and movement in the scrub.
"Plus the feeling of being watched, like a nameless dread. I was contacted by a UK reporter in 2016 about the nervousness of some of the crew and being aware there was something lurking about the outskirts of the set at night."
Dean also claimed he was once "hit" by one of the creatures and left him mentally and psychically shaken up. He told us: "I got hit by one in 2009. After being hit, I had about eight months PTSD on and off. The only reason I was still alive was being saved by other people. I was nearly one of the many bush related missing people we hear about (which I attribute to these things, based on other experiences).
"Generally, they are curious as we would be to noise and unusual activity, but will keep their distance even at night if there’s numbers of humans. Daytime – forget it. Their personalities are like Jekyll and Hyde between day and night. They hate being seen, but do make mistakes.
"There’s no certainty, like with anything biological – we all sway depending on time, place and circumstance. The cloak of darkness definitely makes them far more bold. They are more than aware humans' night blindness, as they don’t have that issue."
However, Yowie researcher Gary Lynn claimed the creatures often get a "bad wrap" but the cast should still remain vigilant. He claimed: "The Springbrook area has high Yowie activity, I've had many experiences with the big fellas.
"You really don’t need to be worried about them as they don’t go out of their way to move you on, unless, you unexpectedly get too close to the family troop, their kids, or on the rare occasion, when a young male is establishing new territory.
"Over the years, only about 5-10% of reports have been negative. They get a bad wrap because empty fear and uneducated stories."
He revealed celebs should look and listen out for "vocals, tree knocks and trees getting pushed over" as they could be a sign of nearby Yowie activity. Gary added: "There will be signs of them but they’re not like kangaroos unfortunately, you can’t just go for a walk and see one. They’re a type of people and very smart."
The expert also shared a stern warning to the ITV cast and crew and said it is imperative to not show any aggressive body language around them. He advised: "If they did have some kind of an encounter, they've just got to be respectful. DO NOT start any aggression toward them as that may turn out pretty bad."
Gary added: "I’ve spent many nights camping in the forest and had many experiences of all facets with them. Been extremely close to them but an actual visual? Twice.
"The average height of a Yowie is about 8ft, the two I've spotted are about 9 1/2ft, whilst the biggest that has been reported is 16ft. That’s why it’s just a healthy respect for them. They’re, bigger, faster, stronger, and very smart."
I'm A Celebrity... Get Me out of Here! kicks off on Sunday, November 17 at 9pm.
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