Yowie - Australia's "Wild Man"

One of the remarkable aspects of cryptozoology is the occurrence of hominoid sightings in such varied places across the globe. In areas of East Africa, for example, creatures called Agogwe have been spotted and commonly described by eyewitnesses as short with reddish hair. Yet, they have not been correlated to standard, documented apes of those regions. An entire ocean and nearly another continent away, in the northwestern locales of South America, is the Mapinguary. This cryptid was described in native traditions as very large—even giant—with red hair. Some early European accounts attested to the existence of such a creature. Throw into this cryptid mix the famous Bigfoot of North America, the Yeti of Asia, and an abundance of lesser-known legends throughout the world, and one can see just how elaborate the hominoid map truly is.    

Another of these elusive creatures is the Yowie of Australia. Modern Yowie sightings have come from many territories, including New South Wales, Queensland, and Northern Territory. The Yowie, or Yahoo as it was originally called, was well-known amongst Aboriginals; however, it is unclear how far back the Yahoo legends go. Sightings by European settlers began soon after their arrival in 1788. In those early days, the British were told by Aborigines of ape-like “Wild men” creatures that occupied the land in different habitats. The British were warned to watch out for the creatures, and to steer clear of them.     

It appears that the original name “Yahoo” was morphed in the 1970’s to the current name “Yowie,” and that the two seemingly different legends represent the same cryptid. Sightings of the creature continue to this day. 

Unlike its distant relatives Bigfoot and Yeti, the Yowie of Australia appears to have a more sinister side. This cryptid has been reported by some as tame, but other reports describe it as having two large, carnivorous fangs, that are used to consume animal flesh. Eyewitness accounts have, at times, caught Yowie consuming wild animals. 

Despite most other hominoids around the world being generally described as “docile,” it seems fitting that an Australian relative would be less tame. After all, Australia is home to a vast number of critters that are designed by nature to hurt and kill, for survival and protection. Why would one expect anything different with Yowie? If anything, its carnivorous ways should earn it more respect as humans continue to seek for evidence that it lurks “down under.”