Yesterday, I wrote an email to Chris Conner and Mark Barton at their Youtube channel email contact address. I provided the background story written up in Gisondi's book about the Green Swamp Wilderness and about Carolann Solomon's claim and I asked them the following question: Are you aware of this story or claim? Did you know Carolann Solomon and or her research colleagues?
Chris replied today. He also approved to share his reply in a public forum. His email reply is shown below.
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Yes, it its true as I was also told from a dear friend within their organization. We knew Carolann for almost two years before her untimely death. She was a very nice person. I have worked with her on a few occasions in the Green swamp. I would have no reason to not believe her account.
Our findings in that area greatly support that there is something in that area or a least frequents the area. They are big, elusive and what ever they are eluded two of my trail cameras, while going in the target zone. The audio recorder captured something large in that area at 3:30AM soon after we deployed the cameras.
I suspect the rangers baited the area to assess the hogs, and something hungry was watching the hogs. If state officials bait they call that collecting data, if we do it, it called go to jail or pay a big fine. They know how to elude cameras and they are not just going to waltz in front of a camera bait or not, our findings suggest they can see Infrared.
Most all government employees will snicker, or dissuade you upon questioning them of any past or knowledge of sightings.
So, yes, it's all true...FWC is aware of them, it's kept on the lowdown by denial, influence, ridicule, controlled burns and so on. The wilderness area is controlled access, regulated with random vehicle patrol, gates and locks. Game officials monitor the roadways and they will stop you.
Thanks
Chris