Jaroslav Mareš

Jaroslav Mareš was a Czech cryptozoologist, biologist, traveller and writer.
He graduated from The University of Economics in Prague, getting a degree of Ing. He worked for Czech Airlines in Iran and later in Canada. He visited 85 countries and organised several expeditions for research of cryptids, such as Kongamato, Nandi bear, Megalania prisca, Bigfoot, Yeti, Nessie, Ogopogo, Champ, megalodon, Lusca, Ambazombi and others. In 1978 he organised an expedition to the tepui which probably inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for writing The [Lost World |The Lost World].
He also studied dinosaurs and corresponded with the world-leading palaeontologists. Another field of his interest was shamanism.
In 1976 he discovered and later scientifically described the world's strongest carnivorous beetle, Manticora imperator, of the tiger beetle group. He became a specialist in this group of beetles and later described three more species.
He published twenty two books and numerous magazine articles. He died in Prague aged 83.