During the 1960’s and 1970’s in Australia, a strange type of dog-like creature that had never been seen before, was being seen by multiple people from all over. Witnesses claimed that the “dog” appeared to be half the size of a dingo, had multi-colored fur (patches of brown, red, gray, and white) like that of an African Wild Dog, a thick muscular body, and claws that appeared to be much too big for its paws. The legs were slightly stubby and the face was relatively long and took on a pointed appearance. The tail looked to be quite long and stiff and was covered in shaggy, multi-colored hair.

Many people believe that what witnesses were seeing was actually a new sub-species of wild Dingo. Proponents of this theory believe that common dingoes had simply been mating with a species of multi-colored domesticated dog (such as a shepherd or cattle dog), which resulted in the new and striking creature. The offspring could have taken on either of the dominant color traits of its parents as well as the key identifying features of each breed. But, this is not the only theory as to what the Yokyn truly was.

There are others who believe that the Yokyn was actually a new sub-species of surviving mainland Thylacine which, over time, had evolved a new multi-colored coat as well as longer and shaggier hair. While this theory would be incredible if it was true, it is more than likely not. An evolutionary appearance jump such as this (hair, muscular definition, size) would have taken more than just a few years to become prominent (we are talking decades upon decades upon decades, so on and so on). Although the claims of the creature having stubby legs, a pointed face, and a long straight tail, do bring to mind images of a Thylacine, albeit one that looks strikingly different than its long thought to be extinct cousin.

Sightings of the Yokyn have dwindled significantly over the years, but every once in a while, strange looking wild dogs are still spotted in the vast Australian outback.

-The Pine Barrens Institute

*Image Credit: Google