Do you believe in mermaids?The Animal Planet's latest departure from reporting actual scientific exploration sent thousands of viewers to the Internet seeking proof of mermaids. "Mermaids: The Body Found" led viewers on a search around the globe, and through history to find the mythological creature. Complete with computer-generated graphics and a sympathetic story line, "Mermaids: The Body Found" ties the "facts" together with a grainy phone video that supposedly depicts a dying, beached mermaid. This isn't the first time Animal Planet has ventured off the zoological record to up the ratings. (Check out the website's online videos and downloads about sea monsters and unknown monsters.)
The four major oceans of the Earth make up 75% of its surface -- a fact that helps fuel the endless speculation concerning the existence of mermaids. Mermaids seem to be part of the collective consciousness of humanity. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, several Stone Age cave paintings depict aquatic humanoids interacting with other sea life and humans. (A fact mentioned in the Animal Planet's recent mockumentary "Mermaids: The Body Found.")
Despite the NOAA's press release denying the discovery of mermaids or governmental development of a half-human, half-fish being, the Bigfoot of the ocean continues to draw a faithful group of believers. Whether fierce or flirty, elusive or friendly, mermaids have made their way from the imaginations of men to the big screen - and back again.
There's no doubt that the Animal Planet will continue to capitalize on man's desire to discover by running the program a few more times. In between reruns, monster lovers could amuse themselves with regular Animal Planet programming like "Supernatural," "The Cat From Hell" and "The Haunted."
If it's sea creatures you must have, Sea Monkeys always make a good choice.
