My curiosity about cryptids was sparked by watching Brotherhood of the Wolf. Learning about the real-life cryptid that inspired the movie only deepened my fascination, and reading stories and theories about it continues to intrigue me to this day

In the annals of cryptid lore, few tales are as chilling as the Beast of Gévaudan. Between 1764 and 1767, the French province of Gévaudan (now part of Lozère) was struck by a series of brutal attacks, leading to widespread panic. The Beast was said to be a large, wolf-like creature that terrorized the rural populace, killing and maiming more than 100 people, most of them women and children. But despite numerous hunts, and the eventual killing of an animal believed to be the Beast, the true identity of the creature remains a subject of debate to this day.

While theories abound regarding what exactly the Beast of Gévaudan was, one of the

more intriguing and lesser-known hypotheses is that it might not have been a wolf or a large wild animal at all. Some researchers believe that the Beast could have been an escaped hyena.

The Legend of the Beast

The Beast’s attacks were described as swift, terrifying, and violent. Eyewitnesses often reported seeing a large, tawny-colored creature, sometimes described as resembling a wolf, but with unusual features like a longer tail, a large chest, and a different shape to its head. Some accounts even suggest the Beast had a "cloven hoof," which could be interpreted as a sign of something not entirely of the natural world.

Local peasants, terrified and confused, spread rumors of the Beast being some kind of supernatural entity. Church authorities suggested it was sent by God as a punishment, while others blamed it on the devil. Meanwhile, the French military and local hunters launched massive campaigns to capture or kill the creature. They eventually succeeded in killing an animal that seemed to fit the description of the Beast, and many believed this marked the end of the terror.

However, after the death of the animal, attacks continued, leading some to question whether the true Beast had been killed. Eventually, the attacks dwindled, and the mystery of the Beast of Gévaudan was left largely unsolved

"The Marine report "

The scene of the autopsy took place at the Château de Besque in Charraix, under the patronage of the Marquis d'Apcher. The creature's remains had been brought to the château, where Marin's report would detail its bizarre and unusual features. The notary's words left a haunting description of the creature: "This animal which seemed to us to be a wolf; but extraordinary and very different by its figure and its proportions from the wolves that one sees in this country." It was a beast unlike any other the locals had encountered, sparking endless curiosity and speculation.

Marin’s report also provides fascinating anatomical details. The creature’s dental structure was described with precision: the upper jaw contained 20 teeth—6 incisors, 2 canines, and 12 molars—while the lower jaw had 22 teeth—6 incisors, 2 canines, and 14 molars. The mix of teeth, particularly the number of molars, suggests that the creature was indeed a canid, but of a type never before seen in the region.

The report doesn't just stop at anatomy. Marin also documented the creature's numerous scars and wounds, which hinted at a life of battle and survival. These physical markers raised questions about the animal’s origins, as well as the strange behaviors reported by locals.

Perhaps most fascinating of all are the testimonies included in the report. Several individuals claimed to have recognized the creature from prior encounters, further solidifying its mystery. Were these witnesses describing a legendary beast that had haunted the land for years, or was there something even more unusual at play?

This report remains one of the few pieces of evidence that might help unravel the mystery of the Beast of Gévaudan—a creature that terrorized the region for nearly three years. While the true identity of the animal remains unclear, the details in Marin's autopsy report suggest that the truth is far stranger than anyone could have imagined.

The Escaped Hyena Hypothesis

So, why would anyone suggest that the Beast of Gévaudan could have been an escaped hyena? It comes down to a combination of historical context, biological plausibility, and the physical descriptions given by witnesses.

During the 18th century, hyenas were not native to France. However, they were known in Europe, mostly as exotic creatures brought to Europe’s royal courts or circuses. The possibility exists that a hyena, perhaps one that had escaped from a menagerie or zoo, could have found its way into the wilds of France. Hyenas are not only capable of surviving in the wild but can also exhibit behavior that might lead to such a mysterious and violent campaign.

Physical Descriptions: The physical characteristics of the Beast described by witnesses often match a hyena more closely than a wolf. Hyenas have strong jaws, a sloped back, and a shorter tail, which could account for some of the differences between the Beast and local wolves. The "cloven hoof" descriptions might be attributed to the hyena's paws, which are not like a wolf’s but still bear a resemblance to a hooved animal in some reports.

After the Beast was supposedly killed, the attacks continued. This could indicate that the Beast was not a single animal, but rather a group of hyenas—or even just one particularly dangerous and elusive individual. If hyenas were involved, it's possible they were able to remain hidden in the rugged terrain of Gévaudan, where they could avoid hunters and stay active for an extended period of time 

Conclusion

While the true identity of the Beast of Gévaudan may never be known, the theory that it could have been an escaped hyena adds an interesting layer to the mystery. Hyenas, with their distinctive physical traits and ruthless hunting habits, could easily explain many of the odd characteristics and behaviors attributed to the Beast.

Of course, there are many other theories—ranging from a wolf pack to even supernatural explanations or a previously unidentified canine based on the autopsy done in the Marine report—but the uncertainty remains all we know was something wastalking the French countryside during the 18th century leaving partially eaten mutialted victims.

Whether the Beast was a hyena, a wolf, or something else entirely, its legacy endures, and its place in cryptozoological lore remains firmly entrenched in the history of unexplained mysteries.

What do you think? Is this a case of misidentified canids or something different all together