- February 9, 2004 - (Winnipeg, MB) The 2003 Canadian UFO
Survey was released today by Ufology Research of Manitoba (UFOROM), an
independent study group that analyses information about unidentified flying
objects reported across Canada. Its findings include:
-
- - There were 673 UFO sightings reported in Canada
in 2003 - or nearly two each day.
-
- - There were about 39 per cent more UFO reports
in 2003 than 2002. The number of UFO reports per year in Canada has increased
almost 350 per cent since 1998.
-
- - In 2003, record numbers of UFOs were reported
in British Columbia (304), Alberta (76), Ontario (150) and Quebec (49).
-
- - In 2003, about 17 per cent of all UFO reports
were unexplained. This percentage of unknowns falls to about seven per
cent when only high-quality cases are considered.
-
- - Most UFO sightings have two witnesses.
-
- - The typical UFO sighting lasted approximately
10 minutes in 2003.
-
- UFOROM research director and study author Chris Rutkowski
notes: "The most important findings of this study include the fact
that the number of UFO sightings in Canada has increased over the past
fifteen years, and 2003 saw an all-time record high number of sightings
reported. People continue to report observing unusual objects in the sky,
and some of these objects do not have obvious explanations." He also
says that many witnesses are pilots, police and other individuals with
reasonably good observing capabilities and good judgement. Although most
reported UFOs are simply lights in the night sky, a significant number
are objects with definite shapes observed within the witnesses' frame of
reference. Rutkowski cautions: "Popular opinion to the contrary, there
is yet to be any incontrovertible evidence that some UFO cases involve
extraterrestrial contact. However, the continued reporting of UFOs by the
public and the yearly increase in numbers of UFO reports suggests a need
for further examination of the phenomenon by social, medical and/or physical
scientists." The study was produced with the cooperation of researchers
and investigators across Canada and with case data from private, public
and government sources.
-
- The complete study is available online at: www.geocities.com/aristotl.geo
-
- For further information, contact: Ufology Research of
Manitoba, e-mail: rutkows@cc.umanitoba.ca
-
- Media interviews are available with local contacts in
British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
-
- Note: UFO sightings in Canada can be reported toll-free
to 1-866-262-1989.
|
