The Beast of Gevaudan

      From 1764 to 1767 an unknown monster terrorized shepherds and shepherdesses who worked in the fields near the Auvergne mountains in southern central France. Known as the Beast of Gevaudan, the creature was held responsible for the savage deaths of 40 people and vicious attacks on more than 110. Local people claimed that the creature was red, covered with scales and had a mouth the size of a lion's. It could run at tremendous speed and evade any trap or hunter.

      In 1767 an unusually large wolf was killed and the attacks ceased. But to this day, no one os certain whether some other beast - or human - was responsible.