In 18th century France, the Beast of Gevaudan terrorized the countryside, killing over 100 people; theories range from a human serial killer to a hybrid wolf-dog creature; autopsy reports suggest it was a wild dog; witnesses describe its characteristics and behavior, including roaring calls and great strength.
The Beast of Gevaudan was a mysterious creature that terrorized France in the 18th century, targeting humans exclusively and displaying unusual aggression.
The exact identity of the beast remains uncertain, with theories suggesting it could have been a large wolf, a hyena, or a mutant animal.
Efforts to eliminate the beast proved challenging, but ultimately ended with the killing of a possible suspect, bringing relief to the affected region.
Deep dives
The Reign of Terror
The reign of terror of the Beast of Jeve d'Alle began in 1764 in the Jeve d'Alle region of France, lasting for three years. It attacked and killed more than 100 people, targeting humans exclusively. The beast's aggression towards humans was unusual, as it ignored livestock and attacked humans instead. Witnesses described the beast as being similar in size to a cow, with dense hair, long claws, a wide chest, a big head, and a long snout. The attacks were characterized by the beast's ferocity and agility, as it was reported to be an excellent jumper, leaping several feet horizontally and clearing an 18-foot high hedge. The attacks occurred primarily during the day, and it was most aggressive towards women and children.
The Context
The Jevedon region of France, where the attacks took place, was characterized by its mountainous terrain and extreme cold in winters due to the Little Ice Age. In the time period of the attacks, France had just emerged from the Seven Years' War, a global conflict involving major European powers, which ended in 1763. King Louis XV was ruling at the time, and the country was still decades away from the French Revolution. The beast's attacks coincided with a period of recovery and rebuilding after the war and during the Little Ice Age.
The Beast's Characteristics
While the exact identity of the beast remains uncertain, there are several theories to explain its origin. Some suggest that it could have been an undiscovered or extinct animal, potentially a large wolf or a hyena. Another theory proposes that it could have been a mutant animal, displaying unusually aggressive behavior towards humans. The autopsies of animals killed during the attacks, such as the wolf of Shas and the Tenazir Canid, revealed that they were canids, resembling a wolf and a wild dog hybrid. Witness descriptions also noted its long tail, which is inconsistent with known animals like bears or hyenas. The beast's aggressive nature towards humans remains a mystery.
Efforts to Stop the Beast
The French authorities launched various initiatives to combat the beast. Temporary measures were implemented, such as allowing ordinary people to possess firearms and offering substantial rewards for killing the beast. Professional hunters were also brought in to track and eliminate the creature. However, these efforts yielded limited success, and the attacks continued for years. The killings only ceased after Jean Chastel killed an animal, believed to be the beast, in the tennis-air woods. Subsequently, the attacks came to an end, bringing relief to the affected region.
The Beast of Jevadon - Possible Explanations for Its Behavior
The podcast episode explores different theories and explanations for the behavior of the Beast of Jevadon. One theory suggests that the beast was a wolf-dog hybrid that lacked the natural fear of humans. However, this theory is questioned because domesticated dogs are generally friendly towards humans. Another theory proposes that the beast was a dislocated lion without a mane. Witness descriptions of the beast align with characteristics of lions, such as its size, dense hair, and long claws. The podcast also discusses the possibility that the beast may have been a larger carnivore unfamiliar with hunting sheep, leading it to prefer attacking humans. The episode emphasizes the need for further investigation to fully understand the nature of the beast.
Evidence Contradicting the Beast as a Wolf
The podcast presents evidence that contradicts the beast being a wolf. Comparison of attack patterns reveals that wolves typically target humans during the summer, while the beast attacked in different seasons. Statistically, wolf attacks primarily involve children, while the beast showed more interest in teenagers and adults. Witness descriptions of the beast's characteristics, such as its long tail and dense hair, align more closely with lions than with wolves. The podcast explores the lion hypothesis, highlighting parallels between the witness reports and lion behavior. However, the absence of a mane in the beast may have caused confusion and prevented immediate identification as a lion. Overall, the episode concludes that further investigation and analysis are necessary to definitively determine the identity of the beast of Jevadon.
France, 1764. A terrifying and unknown beast roams the countryside killing more than 100 men, women, and children, and injuring 200 more. A royal reward is even issued for its capture or death. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli ask what made the beast so ferocious, why it attacked so many people, and what kind of beast it actually was.
