Various methods were used to try and trap the Beast, as well as hunt it. With bodies piling up, the hunters began to use the corpses of the victims as bait. When that did not trap the Beast, another, more controversial method became commonplace. The bodies of the victims were injected with poison to lure the Beast to a meal and die from exposure to the substance. However, this dramatic attempt proved unsuccessful.
On September 20, 1765, Antoine gathered a group of 40 local hunters and 12 hounds. Antoine had his men circle a ravine in the woods near the village of Pommier. Shortly after the hounds were unleashed, the Beast sprang from the forest. One account describes the scene:
“Beauterne fired, hitting the creature in the right shoulder, the other hunters opened fire, one shot going right through the Beast’s right eye and its skull. The creature fell to the ground dead as the men rejoiced. Suddenly, the Beast rose to its feet and charged de Beauterne. The hunters fired a volley hitting the beast again; it turned around and tried to escape before collapsing again, dead at last.”
After more than a year of terror, the citizens rejoiced, believing their villain lay dead at their feet. The wolf was stuffed and sent to the royal French court for display. After hearing tales of the size of the beast, Louis XV and his court, crestfallen, believed this could not be the Beast that killed so many people in such a short time. Despite relative peace in the area in the coming days, the disbelief soon proved to be well-placed.
On December 2, 1765, their suspicions were confirmed. Another beast severely injured two men in the forest. Dozens of more attacks followed the December event. More hunters gathered to find the Beast, but all endeavors proved to be unfruitful. Panic welled again in the people of Gévaudan. The reign of terror lingered over the area.
Finally, on June 19, 1767, a local hunter named Jean Chastel, shot the Beast during a hunt organized by a local nobleman, the Marquis d’Apcher. Some believe Chastel shot the creature with a homemade bullet made of silver. Other accounts reveal, upon being opened, the animal’s stomach was shown to contain human remains. The region breathed a collective sigh of relief when all attacks ceased after this hunt.
John D. C. Linnell et al., published a review of wolf attacks on humans during this time, concluding: “About 95 percent of the carnivore attacks on humans in Gévaudan during the years 1764 to 1767 can be attributed to that single animal that was referred to as la bête: The Beast.”
Through the years, experts continue to speculate on the identity of this infamous creature. Many believe it was a hybrid wolf or lion; some even speculate the details involving skulls being crushed are consistent with hyena killings. Other more supernatural observers believe this is the work of a mythical werewolf. The Beast killed 116 women and children during its life- some argue these totals are greatly underestimated.
From 1764 to 1767, more than a hundred wolves were killed in Gévaudan, but only half a dozen were believed to be the Beast. This age-old mystery continues to confound experts and the people of Gévaudan.
Where Did We Find This Stuff? Some Sources and Further Reading
What Was the Beast of Gévaudan? – History.com
Solving the Mystery of the 18th-Century Killer “Beast of Gévaudan” – National Geographic Channel
The Real Story of the Beast of Gévaudan – Museum Hack
When the Beast of Gévaudan Terrorized France – Smithsonian Magazine
Who Killed The Beast Of Gévaudan? – Unexplained Monsters