The Shunka Warak'in is a beast resembling a small wolf or hyena. It has long legs and scraggly gray fur, and it has been known to local Native Americans for years. It is in fact a part of their mythology. In 1886 a specimen of this creature was shot on a range in the northwest of America. Another specimen was later recovered and made into a mounted trophy. The trophy was later lost, though it resurfaced in 2007. Hopefully, with a body on hand, scientists will soon identify what this creature is. One theory is that it is a leftover population of bear-dogs from the ice age. The feral, primeval appearance of the one specimen makes this a likely theory, and this cryptid is found within the bear-dog's range. Another theory is that it is simply a wolf subspecies, or perhaps a wolf/coyote crossbreed. This is not unlikely, as the Shunka Warak'in combines the coyote's size and lankiness with a wolf's thick coat and large teeth.
I wouldn't want to bump into one of these while I'm walking around the block!
ReplyDeleteYou sure wouldn't! These creatures are reputed to carry off livestock. In fact, the name Shunka Warak'in even means, in a Native American language, "carrying-off dogs." These beasts are sometimes reputed to attack humans as well. However, their range is limited to the Pacific Northwest, so unless you live in that area you're safe.
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