Folk tales of terrifying monsters and tales of terrifying creatures have spread among many peoples and communities around the world. In the town of San Antonio on the Texas border, you will hear many horror stories about the exploits of the “goat-sucker” – the Chupacabra, and in Loch Ness in Scotland, locals swear that they have seen the neck of the monster “Nessie” sticking out of the lake’s waves more than once. The region of Jaboudin (present-day Lozere), located in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, was also not absent from the “horror club”, and in the 18th century, horror stories spread among the residents about a cruel and wild creature that cast its spell over the entire region. A kind of monstrous wolf, enormous in size and eager for prey, roams the rural areas of Jaboudin, lurking and attacking everything in its path, leaving a trail of corpses behind it.
In the first incident, which occurred in the spring of 1764, a 14-year-old girl was killed, and within three years the number of victims had risen at a dizzying pace. The mysterious creature, known to all as the “Monster of Gevaudan” (La Bete du Gevaudan), mainly attacked women and children while grazing and working in the fields, and strangely enough, men, cattle, and even sheep were not usually among its favorite foods. From eyewitness accounts, an image emerged of a creature with a slender body and broad chest, with red fur, a black striped back, a long thin tail, and a huge head revealing two rows of terrifying teeth. Other versions strongly claimed that it was actually a pair of monsters, which of course did not add to the peace of mind of the residents of the area, who were afraid and terrified every day. Hearing the stories, the residents of the area organized a search expedition to find the cursed animal and bring it to an end.
Even Louis XV, who heard of the monster at his residence in Versailles, sent hunters to the area on his behalf, who were promised considerable rewards. To the hunters' credit, the hunt was a success. Many of the wolves of Jaboudin were killed, and a particularly large wolf, identified with certainty by the survivors, brought prestige and great wealth to the hunter (François Antoine de Boutrin) who killed it. However, the celebrations were a little premature. Indeed, only a few weeks had passed, and the deadly attacks returned, this time with greater intensity.
The turning point in the plot came on June 19, 1767…
On Sunday morning, French farmer Jean Chastel left his home and slowly walked up the mountain, armed with a rifle and courage, determined to meet the monster. Chastel followed the creature's fresh tracks, and when he reached the estimated location, he knelt down and waited patiently. It is said that Chastel's rifle was loaded with a special silver bullet, a self-made bullet, made from the metal of a holy coin bearing the image of the Virgin.
In any case, Chastel's heart was beating wildly, and a cold sweat covered his forehead, when from beyond the shadows the monster approached and stared at him. Jean raised his weapon, and through the aiming released a bullet that pierced the body of the monster of Jaboudin. The autopsy of the creature's huge body left no room for doubt, human remains were discovered in its stomach and provided proof of its guilt (even if not in all cases). The creature's intriguing corpse made its way to the Palace of Versailles, but by the time it arrived, the carcass was already moldy and rotting, and it was decided to destroy it without delay.
To this day, the identity of La Bete, the monster of Jaboudin, remains a mystery, a subject that has fascinated books and studies. Was it really a huge wolf? Or was it an angry hyena that escaped from a local beaver? Or was it a wild hybrid creature, with the instincts of a predatory wolf that also possessed the qualities of a dog and did not shy away from humans. Some went as far as to say that it was an evil spirit, immune to the hunters' bullets, sent by God to punish them for their sins. Which only gave a glimpse into the superstitions of the local residents, and perhaps also an excuse for those failed hunters who were unable to stop the beast's attacks. An interesting study from 2009 suggested that the potential culprit was none other than Jean Chastel himself. The argument put forward by the researchers was: How did a local farmer succeed, where many professional hunters had failed? They assumed that the monster was actually Chastel's obedient mastiff, who felt safe near his owner, and therefore refrained from attacking him or running away from him. The motive put forward by those investigators was no less extreme: Jean Chastel was actually a serial killer and the monster was merely a cover for his terrible crimes.
Serial killer? Or a hero crowned with glory? What is known for sure is that a beast did indeed attack and kill more than a hundred of the inhabitants of Jaboudin, injuring many others, and from the moment it was eliminated by Chastel, the days of terror and anxiety came to an end. Unlike Antoine de Boutrin, Jean Chastel did not receive a grant, but a monument commemorating his heroism stands in the village of La Besseyre-Saint-Mary, one of the places where the monster’s attacks were documented.
And as for the wolves...
The wild wolf that was almost extinct from the land of France As in all of Western Europe, it is currently showing signs of recovery as small wild populations are re-emerging and arriving from other regions. It is somewhat symbolic that in the very same area where they were persecuted, a reserve was established to protect and nurture the wolf population, and it was not by chance that it was named “Les Loups du Gevaudan.” The park opened in 1985 in Saint Leger de Peyre in the Lozere department with a small population of 20 wolves, and was substantially reinforced by 80 Siberian wolves from a donation from the Brigitte Bardot Foundation. The park has a small museum that tells the story of the wolves and the renewal of their days on French soil, and of course mentions the fascinating story of the Monster of Gevaudan.
Dear Amiram, you are full of stories and immense knowledge. Thank you for every story and expanding your knowledge.