Beast Of Gevaudan Essay

The Beast of Gevaudan: Serial Killer or Hyena? According to Jaime Hall, “In 1760’s France, there was a mythical creature held responsible for at least sixty attack deaths” (“The Cryptid Zoo: Beast of Gevaudan” n.p.). Many of the locals had their own theories about what was behind these deaths. Some believed it to be a werewolf, while others believed it to be a sorcerer that shapeshifted into a flesh-feeding monster. Some researchers believed that there were at least two beasts. People reported several different descriptions of the beast. It was supposedly the size of a horse and looked like a bear, hyena, wolf, and panther mixed together. It also had a long pig or wolf-like snout. Its colors varied between red, red with grey spots, red with stripes on its back, and sometimes black and white. When people attempted to kill the beast, it appeared to be bulletproof. That is until someone tried a silver bullet. Many believe the beast to be a new species or subspecies (Hall n.p.). According to Unknown Explorers, “the first known encounter with the Beast of Gevaudan too place in May or June of 1764 in the …show more content…
Clemens, the first attack involving the Beast of Gevaudan was the death of Janne Boulet. After this, almost 100 men, women, and children were killed or injured by some creature. This went on for just over six years. Many believed the animal to be a “massive wolf” or a “dog-wolf hybrid.” According to Martin J. Clemens, “it was said to have huge jaws with 42 razor sharp teeth” (Clemens n.p.). The creature was supposedly as big as a baby cow. It was said that many victims had their throats ripped out. King Louis XV sent two of his best hunters out to kill the beast, but they had no luck. The beast would not die. Later Jean Chastel supposedly killed the beast with one shot using a silver bullet that had been blessed. Most people believe that it was just a wolf and some believe it to be a werewolf, but the answer is still unclear (Clemens