BBC News, Meghalaya

In the US it's known as bigfoot, in Canada as sasquatch, in Brazil as
mapinguary, in Australia as a yowie, in Indonesia as sajarang gigi and,
most famously of all, in Nepal as a yeti.

The little known Indian version of this legendary ape-like creature is
called mande barung - or forest man - and is reputed to live in the remote
West Garo hills of the north-eastern state of Meghalaya.

I was invited by passionate yeti believer Dipu Marak to travel throughout
the area to hear for myself what he says is compelling evidence of the
existence of a black and grey ape-like animal which stands about 3m
(nearly 10ft) tall.

There have been repeated reports of sightings over many years by different
witnesses in the West, South and East Garo hills.

Mr Marak estimates the creature weighs about 300kg (660lb) and is
herbivorous, surviving on fruit, roots and tree bark.

The Garo hills comprise more than 8,000sq.km of some of the thickest
jungle in India.

And as I soon discovered, there is no shortage of people who say they have
seen the creature at first hand.