Arkansas’ Wild Crypto Zoo
Posted by: Craig Woolheater on January 12th, 2006
Published a few days ago in the Charleston Express was the stories of some strange critters from Arkansas.
…one animal was about 5 inches shorter than the other, the larger being about 3 feet tall at the top of its shoulder. Both were about the color of a bobcat, with heads that seemed oversized for the bodies. The head and nose were noticeably more like a canine’s than a feline’s. According to the witness the most noticeable feature on the head was the animals’ ears. He stated the ears were unusually large for the size of the head. The ears were reportedly mule-like, about 6 inches long, with tufts of hair growing from their tips. He noted that the neck was also thick and muscular. He stated the animals had tails that were catlike, but longer than a bobcat’s and shorter than a cougar’s. He particularly noted the tails were rounded on the ends, and not pointed like a dog’s.
He said the animals possessed massive chests and very muscular front legs. Their back legs were noticeably shorter, causing the back to be sloped like that of a hyena. When the animals ran, he stated they “pushed off” using their front legs, landed on all four feet, and continued their travel in that springing fashion.
Apparently Bigfoot is not the only crytid running around in the woods and river bottomlands of Arkansas. Looks like the Fouke Monster has some company.
Hmmmm….by the way it springs, perhaps Pepe LePew has a real life relative.
I read the full article in the Charleston Express, and from all the descriptions I can’t help but think of some mutant hyena-type creature…
Altho the ears are “wrong”, and I don’t think hyenas’ teeth actually protrude, the canine snout, muscular neck and upper torso and the sloping posterior all seem very similar.
Still, that’s one nasty beast!
Fuz
I am on the opposite side of the state from this, and this is the first I have heard of it. Well, my vote is for hyenas as well, although if the story is legit, beats me how they got here.
What about the Shunka Warak’in? They are said to be hyena-like and indigenous to the general region (Montana, Alberta, Nebraska, Idaho, Iowa, and Illinois). Not much of a stretch to find one in Arkansas, although they’re not exactly a frequently reported Cryptid.
Mnynames;
Thanks for the info on the shunka warak’in. I have enjoyed reading about a new cryptid. It could be that animal in Arkansas, although it is out of its range here.
My info on the Shunka Warak’in comes from Loren’s book “Cryptozoology A-Z”, in case you want to read more…