Richard Freeman (born Nuneaton, England, in 1970) is a cryptozoologist, author, zoological journalist, and WebTV Presenter. He is also Zoological Director of the Centre for Fortean Zoology (CFZ), and co-edits both the journal, Animals & Men and several editions of the annual CFZ Yearbook. Richard Freeman has written, co-written, or edited a number of books, and has contributed widely to both Fortean and zoological magazines, as well as other newspapers and periodicals, including Fortean Times and Paranormal Magazine. He has also lectured across the UK at events such as the Fortean Times Unconvention, the Weird Weekend, Microcon and at museums such as the Natural History Museum and the Grant Museum of Natural History in London. When interviewed by author Nick Redfern in 2005, Freeman claimed an early obsession with the classic science fiction series Dr Who (with Jon Pertwee) had sparked an interest in all things weird. After school he became a zookeeper at Twycross Zoo in the West Midlands and became head keeper of reptiles, working with more than 400 exotic species from ants to elephants (but with a special interest in crocodilians). After leaving the zoo, he worked in an exotic pet shop, a reptile rescue centre, and as a gravedigger. In 1995, Freeman began studying zoology at Leeds University. Whilst on holiday from the university, he learned of the CFZ and bought a copy of the Centre's journal Animals & Men, which left him impressed enough to subscribe and begin contributing. He eventually became the CFZ's Yorkshire representative and, once the course had ended, moved to Devon to become a full-time member of the Centre. He is now the Zoological Director and co-editor of Animals & Men. - http://www.cfz.org.uk