A California man explained that the discovery of the legendary Bigfoot was essential to the further advancement of scientific research and discovery.

Daniel Perez, the director of the Center Bigfoot Studies, explained that the discovery of the creature would shed light on the scientific community. Because of this, he had traveled across the country, interviewing people who claimed to have seen the elusive primate.

"This isn't about finding some new species of butterfly in South America which would have little impact on your life or mine," said Perez. "If we ever find this, it might be the biggest scientific discovery the world has ever seen."

Perez resides in Riverside, California, in a house that also functions as the headquarters of the Center for Bigfoot Studies.

Perez was reported to have previously been an electrician, but gave it up to pursue his studies and his search for what has become his life's passion.

"I understand that many people are ignorant of the data on the subject, but this is more than just tabloid stuff," the UPI quoted Perez, who had with him a cast of a large footprint. "As you can see, it's very manlike. It walks like us and has feet like us, but it's covered in hair and has gorilla-like features. It could be a missing link."

Perez also puts out the Bigfoot Times, a monthly publication, which has a 760 circulation.

A recent publication featured a woman who claimed to have seen Bigfoot in 1936 in Davidstown, Pa. The witness, now an 81-year old woman, recalled the incident, with her seeing an upright creature walking around her home on more than one occasion.

"He must have been 6 feet tall, dark brown, long arms, and very hairy," the woman said. "Gosh, did we run across the fields into the house."