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Beast of Gévaudan
Between 100-300 people were killed and partially eaten in 18th century France. The creature shrugged off bullets. The King sent soldiers. It took years to kill whatever it was.
1764 - 1767
Gévaudan, France
500+ witnesses
The Beast of Gévaudan is history’s deadliest cryptid.
The Attacks
1764-1767:
- 100-300 killed
- Mostly women and children
- Partially eaten
- Decapitations
- Terror reigned
The Description
Witnesses reported:
- Huge wolf-like animal
- Reddish fur
- Black stripe
- Enormous teeth
- Withstood gunfire
Royal Response
King Louis XV:
- Sent soldiers
- Professional hunters
- Huge rewards
- Failed to kill
- National embarrassment
The First Kill
September 1765:
- François Antoine
- King’s gunbearer
- Killed large wolf
- Beast declared dead
- Attacks continued
The Final Beast
June 1767:
- Jean Chastel
- Local hunter
- Killed creature
- Silver bullets legend
- Attacks stopped
Theories
What was it:
- Abnormal wolf
- Wolf-dog hybrid
- Escaped exotic animal
- Serial killer
- Unknown species