"The Endangered"

Episode 221
(aired the week of 5/11/1998)
Case # 10-4723

Log line: A Yeti attacks mountain climbers; Kelly thinks Praeger is paranoid.

Synopsis: The Office of Scientific Investigation and Research (O.S.I.R.) is called in by the local police after a hiker's mauled body is found by Grant MacKenzie, a seasoned trail guide and big game hunter leading two hikers on a weekend wilderness retreat.

As the O.S.I.R. team begins their investigation, Zoologist L.Q. Cooper recovers a clump of long stringy fur from a tree branch near the attack site. The length and texture of the specimen immediately rule out the possibility that the man was killed by a grizzly bear. Additionally, Cooper finds tracks leading from the body into a nearby creek, suggesting sophisticated animal behavior. Interviewing the two hikers who are cloistered in a cabin while the O.S.I.R. investigate, Senior Data Analyst Lindsay Donner learns they were too far from the incident to lend any clues.

Case Manager Matt Praeger works furiously to solve this case, but is interrupted by his unstable friend Michael Kelly who insists that Praeger meet him to discuss urgent business. Praeger puts Kelly off for the time being. Meanwhile, Senior Science Analyst Peter Axon probes the area with Cooper in search of more clues to the attacker's whereabouts. While on patrol, they notice a rancid smell and then manage to videotape a humanoid creature as it skulks through the woods. The two investigators run into MacKenzie just in time to prevent him from shooting the beast. Realizing MacKenzie is determined to kill it for his own fame and fortune, they suggest teaming up to trap the creature - which might be the fabled Yeti - for scientific study.

As the search continues, Kelly persists in harassing Praeger to meet with him. Dr. Anton Hendricks warns Praeger that Kelly's behavior appears to be mentally unstable. Meanwhile, the two hikers, tired of being cooped up, make a run for the city - but they get lost and their escape takes a grisly turn.

Finding that the hikers are missing, the O.S.I.R. organizes a search party. Meanwhile, concerned that Kelly's meddling with Praeger is affecting the investigation, Axon breaks rank and calls O.S.I.R. Director of Operations Frank Elsinger who sternly warns Praeger to cut off all contact with Kelly.

Still on the hunt, MacKenzie's quest to capture the beast reaches a fever pitch. As the O.S.I.R. intervenes for the sake of science, their investigation takes a fatally unpredictable turn. In the final analysis, the fury of the beast hits the O.S.I.R. very close to home and it remains to be seen whether Praeger can, in good conscience, put this particular investigation to rest.

Starring:
Matt Frewer - Case Manager Matt Praeger
Barclay Hope - Peter Axon
Nancy Anne Sakovich - Lindsay Donner
Colin Fox - Dr. Anton Hendricks
Peter MacNeill - Ray Donahue
Nigel Bennett - Frank Elsinger
Peter Blais - L.Q. Cooper
Dan Aykroyd - Host

Guest Stars:
Michael Moriarty - Michael Kelly
Terry Harford - Grant MacKenzie
Andrew Miller - Scott Benson

Written by: Will Dixon
Directed by: Rick Drew