Chinese scientists are trying once more to find the legendary half-man, half-ape creature known as "Bigfoot", China Daily reported on December 6.

Wang Fangcheng, head of the Search Committee for Rare Animals and Plants, said paleoanthropologists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and local experts are in Shennongjia Nature Reserve in Central China's Hubei Province, believed to be the creature's home.

"After repeated frustrations in previous searches, many have been disappointed in finding Bigfoot,' he said. "But a few scientists still believe that such an animal is out there."

A team of scientists, reporters and local officials entered Shennongjia two months ago after a hunter reported seeing a huge, fast-moving creature - about 2.5 meters tall - that was covered with long, red hair.

The scientists found 40-centimetre footprints, brown hair and chewed corncobs at the spot where the hunter said he encountered the strange beast. Yuan Zhenxin, a paleoanthropologist from CAS, said after examining the evidence that they were not left by a bear.

Some scientists theorize that "Bigfoot" might be the offspring of a giant ape. Many others doubt it even exists.