The Loxton Beast

In 1908, the Loxton Beast raised its head and caused concern near the Riverland settlement. The Renmark Pioneer reported that people were too scared to leave their homes at night for fear of running into the tiger near Mr Alwege’s property.
 The tiger had been seen near the rear of Alwege’s farm, with reports that horses, cats, and dogs would not stop in the vicinity for fear of being hunted by the beast. A posse of local men was formed to hunt the beast.[1] It is not known if they captured it, but as it was not reported in local newspapers, one can assume they did not!

 In early 1919, Loxton farmer, Arthur McCourt publicly claimed he had been working his farm when he spied what he believed to be a jaguar on his property.[2] A correspondent for the Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record newspaper (Renmark), called for a hunting party to be formed to pursue the jaguar, and ‘to hunt the animal down.’[3]

This was not the first time McCourt, who had previously lived in Tantanoola, home of the infamous Tantanoola Tiger and other thylacine sightings, had gone public with his claims. It is implied in the Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record newspaper, published on 7 March 1919, that McCourt was associated with cattle rustlers who were found guilty of starting rumours around Tantanoola that the beast had returned. These rustlers were captured and sent to prison.[4]

 Whether it was cattle rustlers or a genuine sighting of a jaguar, or a thylacine at Loxton remains undetermined. It is however an interesting story. I would love to hear from Loxton residents if their grandparents ever spoke of the Loxton Beast…

Researched and written by Allen Tiller 2022.

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[1] 'The Loxton "Tiger."', Renmark Pioneer, (26 June 1908), p. 2., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109521734.

[2] 'Loxton's Jaguar.', The Mail, (22 February 1919), p. 2., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63762622.

[3] 'Loxton.', Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record, (7 February 1919), p. 6., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109227561.

[4] 'The South East.', Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record, (7 March 1919), p. 3., http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109227803