DNA tests conducted on the bizarre canid shot and killed in Montana last month have shown that the creature was simply a wolf. The weird-looking animal became something of a viral sensation when images of the downed beast spread online and spawned speculation that it could be something extraordinary.
In an effort to be certain of the creature's nature and, perhaps, quell fears of that there may be werewolves running amok in Montana, the state's Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks sent samples of the animal off to a lab Oregon for testing. According to release issued by the department on Monday, the results indicated that "this animal is a gray wolf from the northern Rocky Mountains." Specifically, they said that the downed animal was non-lactating female wolf between two to three years old.
The statement went on to suggest that the creature's somewhat monstrous appearance was due to the way in which the photos were taken, since a hands-on examination of the remains found the animal to be "relatively normal looking." No doubt the handful of imaginative individuals who theorized that the creature could be a Bigfoot are bound to be disappointed by the determination. That said, it's good news for residents of Montana who may have been wondering if there were dog-men lurking in their midst.