Anomaly Ledger

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Beast of Gévaudan

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Painted illustration: large reddish wolf-like animal on a rocky 18th-century French highland meadow
AI rendition based on witness descriptions, not an actual photo.
18th-century engraving of la Bête du Gévaudan, The London Magazine, May 1765
18th-century engraving of la Bête du Gévaudan, The London Magazine, vol. xxxiv, May 1765 (reprinted in Montague Summers, Werewolf, 1933) · "AF" · Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons) · Image source
18th-century print depicting the Beast of Gévaudan.
18th-century print depicting the Beast of Gévaudan · Unknown author · Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons) · Image source

A wolf-like animal blamed for a series of deadly attacks in the former province of Gévaudan, France, 1764–1767.

Disputed Verdict: Real attacks, most likely by one or more large wolves, later grown into legend.

Region
Europe · UK & Europe · France
First reports
1764

Key sightings

Best evidence

Contemporary records and reports; animals were killed but no remains survive.

Ledger cases

Sources