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Narrator
Beyond the bustling modern Australian cities is the Outback. It's a land that's ancient, remote and deadly. Animals here evolved in isolation. Marsupials with pouches, mammals that lay eggs, flightless birds that can kill with one kick. And these are just the animals we know about. People disappear here. Campsites torn apart, blood smeared across tree trunks, claw marks and footprints that don't belong to any known animal. But the locals know what they are. They have stories, warnings. The land doesn't just hide these creatures, it protects them. And sometimes the land gets hungry and those creatures have to hunt. In the forests of eastern Australia, you hear the typical sounds of any forest. Wind rustling through the trees, birds, the chatter of small animals. But there's a sound that stands out, almost human. A deep growl that rattles with every breath. Aboriginal people have several names for it. Dulaga, Quinkin, Yahoo.
Humorous Commentator
Yahoo.
Narrator
Why?
Humorous Commentator
Sorry, sorry. All those names sound like websites from the 90s. Please, go on.
Narrator
Well, the settlers gave it a name that stuck. The Yowie.
Humorous Commentator
Yowie. They literally named it the word they said when they saw it. Eh, Well, I guess it's better than naming it. Holy. Look at the size of that thing.
Narrator
Dean Harrison tracked the Yowie for over 25 years. He interviewed hundreds of witnesses. He had his own encounters and the scars to prove it. Dean described it as massive, 7 to 8ft tall, covered in dark hair, with broad shoulders, a sloped forehead and glowing amber eyes. It also gave off a stench that made him gag. Sweet and sickly, like the smell of death.
Dean Harrison
And the Airies is like nothing else that you could describe. And the stink from that is just. Once you smelt one, you never forget it. It's like a burnt electrical. Like if you blew up a TV or a radio. That burnt Bakelite. Electrical smell. And it seems to permeate everything in the area.
Narrator
One night, he was attacked, thrown to the ground. His ribs were bruised, his spine was injured. He still can't walk without pain. But to Dean, the Yowie is no myth. This is A real creature, a de dangerous predator. And it's been seen by people for years. The stories show up in police records, park ranger logs, modern newspaper articles, reports from just outside Brisbane, the Blue Mountains, dozens more from hikers and campers who thought they were alone. And if you've ever hiked alone in remote areas, you know that feeling when everything goes too quiet. Dean's research revealed something else. The Yowie doesn't just attack randomly. It watches, it follows. It likes to attack people who are isolated and vulnerable, miles from help. But Dean wasn't the first to track these creatures. In 1882, Henry James McCooey spotted what he called an indigenous ape on the New south Wales coast. Five feet tall, black hair, red fur around the throat. McCooey was so confident in what he saw, he offered the Australian Museum £40 to capture one alive. That's $4,000 in today's money. The museum never took him up on his offer. But the sightings, they kept coming. Ever notice how the right story can completely turn your day around? Whether you're stuck in traffic or just need a mental reset, listening to something great can instantly boost your mood and shift your whole mindset. That's the magic of Audible. Audible is your all access pass to audio entertainment. From the dark suspense of Mad Love to the fantasy romance of Onyx Storm to Stephen King's chilling never flinch. Plus hits like Freda McFadden's the Tenant and Amelia Hart's the Sirens, Audible's become a daily go to, not just for.
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Visit audible.com y files or text y files to 500.
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500.
Narrator
That's audible.com y files or text Y files to 500. 500. The yowie reports span decades, and they're not all from the bush.
Humorous Commentator
Yeah, that surprises me. When you're looking for something hairy, you. You usually go straight for the bush.
Narrator
Stop that. Okay. In 1977, hikers near Springbrook saw something massive watching them from a ridge. It was hunched, covered in red hair, and Then stood upright. And then it was gone. Not out of sight, just gone. All that was left was the smell. Wet, sweet and rotten. In 1994, a Canberra man known today as Tim the Yowie man, was hiking alone when he stopped to adjust his pack. That's when he saw it. Tall, hairy, the creature stared back at him. Then it turned and disappeared into the trees. Tim's been tracking the Yowie ever since. In 2009, a former SAS soldier was driving on a remote highway after dark. His headlights caught something crossing the road. Walking upright, dark fur and moving fast, it only took two strides before it disappeared into the brush. The soldier didn't stop.
Dean Harrison
That wasn't a man. And it wasn't any animal I've ever seen. I've seen things most people haven't, but not like that.
Narrator
At Daylesford, Victoria, a woman was sitting by her campfire. She looked up and saw a massive silhouette just 20ft away. She described it as ape like, powerful. And watching her. It didn't growl. It didn't charge. It just stood. Stood there, like it was waiting. That same weekend, another camper nearby reported hearing branches break and something pacing through the woods. People said it might be a kangaroo, but he said it was too heavy. You could feel the steps hitting the ground. Researchers logged both accounts and hundreds more. The reports continue to pour in. Rural farmlands, suburban backyards, outer Brisbane, everywhere. But here's what bothers researchers most. When people talk about the Yowie, they don't say they saw something. They say something saw them. Something deadly lives in Australia's rivers. Something hungry. Aboriginal people call it the Bunyip. It means devil in Wembawemba.
Humorous Commentator
Did I get knocked down? Did I get up again? You never gotta keep me down.
Narrator
What are you doing?
Humorous Commentator
It's that song by Wemba. Wemba?
Narrator
That was Chumbawamba.
Humorous Commentator
What'd I say?
Narrator
Anyway, almost every Aboriginal group has its own version of the legend. The creature changes depending on the region. Sometimes it's described like a giant seal. Other times like an emu with fangs and the body of a crocodile. But a few details never change. It lives in deep water. It drags people under. Some stories claim it can paralyze its victims with its gaze. And the last thing the victims hear are the bunyip's screams. The Bunyip isn't just a monster. It's a punishment. Elders say it feeds on those who disrespect sacred sites. It's a guardian, dragging away people who pollute the water.
Humorous Commentator
How dare you. Oh, you didn't see that coming.
Narrator
Around the 19th century, settlers started hearing something at night near still water. Screams and roars. The sound of something heavy surfacing. Then livestock started going missing. People saw huge glowing eyes watching from the reeds. In 1846, something strange washed up along the banks of the Murrumbidgee. A skull. Waterlogged and weathered. It didn't belong to a cow, a sheep or a crocodile. Its jaw was too broad, its eye sockets were too large, and its snout had a strange shape. Locals brought the skull to the Australian Museum in Sydney, who put it on display. When tribal elders were invited to see it, they looked once and pointed. And they all said the same word, Bunyip. The museum locked the skull away and it hasn't been seen since. But the sounds didn't stop. From the Murray to Brungle Creek, something was moving through the water around Murrumbidgee River. Something large. When more livestock was reported missing, the locals knew what was happening. The Bunyip was back. And it was hungry.
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Narrator
Museums don't always want the truth to get out.
Humorous Commentator
Museums are just government storage units with gift shops.
Narrator
In 1883, a group of aboriginal men sat around their camp at Cockatoo Flat. They were winding down around the fire. One by one, they drifted off to sleep. The last man was about to close his eyes when he looked past his feet and his blood ran cold. A huge pair of wide set yellow eyes stared at him from the trees. At first he thought the fire was playing tricks on him. Then the eyes moved. Branches snapped. He heard rustling. Before the man could utter a word, the Bunyip had crept to the edge of their camp. It was massive. Its body was covered in short, prickly hair like a porcupine. It had a long, thick tail. Its pale yellow eyes were locked and unblinking. It had a long beak full of pointed teeth and two large tusks. It roared and charged, but the creature tripped on something and stumbled just long enough for the men to run for their lives. Some ran for miles. They never again went back to that place. Months later, Henry Wilkinson was walking along the banks of Brungle Creek. The seasonal flooding had receded, and as he walked, something caught his eye. A carcass. Something huge, with a thick tail and hair like a porcupine. A local newspaper published a story, and this caught the attention of the Sydney Museum. They asked Henry Wilkinson to send them the remains so they could study it. Don't do it, Hank Wilkinson agreed and sent the creature to the Sydney Museum. The museum said the package never arrived, and it was never seen again.
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Narrator
Y Files Deep in Australia's wilderness, there's a creature you'll never hear coming. It doesn't stalk. It doesn't howl. High in the branches of fig trees, it sits motionless, watching and waiting. It's called the yara mayahu. It's small, red, hairless. Its body is squirrel squat, kind of like a frog. Its fingers have suckers like an octopus. Its skin is wet, wrinkled, and the color of raw meat, like an Animal turned inside out. Its head looks too big for its body. Its black eyes never blink. Where a mouth should be, there's just a wide, fleshy circle. When you stop to rest beneath its tree, the Yara Ma Yha who drops no sound, no warning. It attaches its suckers to your skin, pierces it and drinks your blood. But it does it slowly. Not enough to kill you, just enough to control you.
Humorous Commentator
This sounds like the worst hickey ever.
Narrator
Then it swallows you whole.
Humorous Commentator
My analysis dance.
Narrator
But it doesn't digest you. After a few hours, it regurgitates you. You're still alive, but different. You're smaller. Your skin is a little more red. A little more like the thing that took you. If it happens again, the changes continue. Victims become even smaller, even redder. This isn't just an attack for food. It's how it reproduces. In the Blue Mountains, a boy disappeared from a school field trip near a fig grove. Search teams found him the next day, curled beneath a tree. His skin was red and within days, he stopped playing and making eye contact. Within a week, he stopped speaking. In Queensland, a woman returned from a hike three days late. Her skin was blistered, but she wasn't upset. She was quiet. Over the next few weeks, she withdrew. She stopped talking to people, stopped taking calls. Then one day, she packed her things and was never seen again. But here's what makes the Ara Meyahu different from other cryptids. The victims don't just come back changed. They come back missing time. The boy in the mountains couldn't account for six hours. The woman in Queensland lost three days. Every fig tree in Australia could be hiding something red and hungry and completely still. It doesn't hunt. It doesn't chase. It waits. It waits for animals, it waits for people. It waits for anything that decides. Its tree would be a nice spot to rest and get out of the sun. And once you're relaxed, you'll feel a pinch somewhere on your body. And then everything goes black.
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Narrator
Australia is dangerous enough without cryptids. That continent is constantly trying to kill you. The saltwater crocodile is an apex predator that targets humans. In northern Australia, the eastern brown snake is the deadliest snake on the continent. It's highly venomous, fast, and likes to live near people. The coastal taipan snake is even faster and among the most venomous snakes on Earth. The funnel web spider is aggressive, highly venomous and famous for its painful bite. And if you do get bit by a funnel web spider, you better hope there's a hospital nearby with a decent supply of antivenom because you're now in an emergency situation in the water off Australia. You've got great white sharks. You've got box jellyfish, where one sting can cause cardiac arrest. The blue ring octopus packs a neurotoxin that causes paralysis and respiratory failure. There's no known antivenom. Even Australian snails are dangerous. The cone snail has a venomous harpoon that can kill a human in minutes. Locals call it the cigarette snail because you only have time for one smoke before you die. Those animals are all real. But what about Australia's cryptids? Well, if you follow this channel, you know that I don't like to cover cryptids because there's never any good evidence. There's never any good photos or videos. Same goes for all the creatures we talked about today. There's no hard evidence for any of them. So what's really happening? The Yowie sounds like a creature we see all over the world. Bigfoot in the US the yeti in the Himalayas. Canadians have the Sasquatch.
Humorous Commentator
Same squinch.
Narrator
Thousands of reported sightings, many from credible people. Rangers, veterans, police officers. Some accounts are detailed, some are compelling. But just like Bigfoot stories, when you look closely, they don't really hold up. Footprints are too vague. Hair turns out to be possum, dog or human. Dean Harrison's Yowie story is inconsistent. In some versions, he's attacked running away from a yowie. In others, he's attacked while tracking it. And when stories change, you have to question them.
Humorous Commentator
Or maybe, maybe when A giant hair rape throws you into a tree, your memory gets a little fuzzy. You ever think of that, huh? It's called pbf. Post Bigfoot Attack stress disorder. Human look it up.
Narrator
But the Bunyip is different. Unlike the aoie, it never had one form. It changes from region to region. It just became a catch all for any people disappearing near water. Sometimes it has feathers. Sometimes it's reptilian.
Humorous Commentator
Ah, reptilians are shapeshifters.
Narrator
Do they drag people underwater?
Humorous Commentator
No, they prefer to eat human souls from the moon.
Narrator
But here's what bothers me about the Bunyip evidence. The skull was displayed in a museum for two days. Elders identified it as a Bunyip. Experts said it was a deformed calf. Either way, it vanished. So did that package of the remains of another Bunyip. Look, I don't trust museums. And when museums get a hold of inconvenient evidence, that evidence tends to disappear.
Humorous Commentator
Yeah, you're right about that. Just ask the Smithsonian about giant human skeletons. Viking artifacts in North America, Egyptian artifacts in the Grand Canyon.
Narrator
Right. The Yara Mayhu is easier to explain. It's a myth that's been told to children for generations by indigenous tribes. It's a warning. Stay with the tribe. Don't wander off alone. It's caution wrapped in a horror story. Some people laugh at stories meant to scare children, but many fairy tales are based on fear. They're designed to frighten us, to activate our survival instincts. Hansel and Gretel. Don't wander too far. Little Red Riding Hood. Don't talk to strangers. Dozens more fairytales have lessons just like this.
Humorous Commentator
Oh, like don't trust the media.
Narrator
What fairytale is that?
Humorous Commentator
Oh, no, no. It's not a fairy tale. It's a true story. It just seemed like a good time.
Narrator
To remind everyone these cryptids probably don't exist. But if you're alone in the outback, the danger is real. The silence that feels like it's listening is real. That shadow that moves at the edge of your sight, that's real, too. Dismiss these legends at your own risk. Because in the Australian wilderness, ignoring the lessons and the wisdom in these ancient stories might be the last mistake you ever make. Thank you so much for hanging out with us today. My name is A.J. you know, hacklefish?
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This has been the why files. If you had fun or learned anything, do him a favor. Subscribe. Comment, like, share. It's such a small thing to ask, but that stuff really helps the channel, especially these days. The algorithm. Algorithm is being Weird. Like most topics we cover on the channel, today's was recommended by you. So if there's a story you'd like us to cover or learn more about, go to thewifiles.com tips. Remember, the why Files is also a podcast. Twice a week, I post deep dives into the stories we cover on the channel. And sometimes I post stories that aren't allowed on the channel anyway. It's called the why Files Operation Podcast, and it's available everywhere. Now, if you need more WI files in your life, you gotta check out our discord. We've got 75,000, maybe 80,000 people on there, so 24. Seven, someone's hanging out. They're into the same weird stuff we are. It's a great community, it's really supportive, it's a lot of fun, and it's free to join. And if you want to know what's going on with the Y Files at any given time, you can check out our production calendar. It's thewifiles.com cow there we post our episode schedule, upcoming podcasts, live streams, all that stuff. Now, special thanks to our patrons who made this episode happen. They've made every episode happen. They made this whole channel possible. I could not do this, this without you. And if you'd like to join us, support the channel, keep us going, become part of this great community, Consider becoming a member on Patreon. For as little as three bucks a month, you get access to perks like videos and podcasts early with no commercials. Access to merch only available to members, plus at least two private live streams every week just for you. And you get to meet the whole Y Files team. Everyone's got their camera on. You can turn your camera on, jump up on stage, ask a question, suggest a topic, talk about anything you like. It's a great way to get to know us as people. I think it's the best perk there is. Another great way to support the channel is grab something from the WI FI store.
Humorous Commentator
Grab a heck of a T shirt or one of these fistable coffee mugs that's perfect to put your fist in. Or whatever appendage you've got, depending on what kind of cryptid you happen to be sporting that day. Oh, honey, get something my face on it. Give me one of these weird spinny YouTube dolls. It's not creepy at all. Oh, I want a squeezy animal hecklefish doll. Toy he selfish toys.
Narrator
But if you're gonna buy merch, make sure you become a member on YouTube every month. YouTube members get 10% off everything in the Y file store. That's everything. So if you're gonna spend 40 bucks on t shirts, become a YouTube member for three bucks. It pays for itself. And if you want to cancel after one month, that's totally fine. The membership is there to save you money, not make me money. In fact, that money goes to my great team. Yeah.
Humorous Commentator
Don't tell anyone about the secret code.
Narrator
Those are the plugs. And that's gonna do it. Until next time, be safe, be kind, know that you are appreciated. We got it. Huh?
Cryptid Enthusiast
I believe Olivia scenario 51 a secret code inside the Bible said I was I love my UFOs and paranormal fun as well as music so I'm singing like I should but then another conspiracy theory becomes the truth, my friends and it never ends no, it never ends I fear the crab cat and I got stuck inside Mel's home with mkotruck I being only 2 aware.
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Cryptid Enthusiast
Kubrick fake the moon landing alone on a film set I were the shadow people there the Roswell aliens just fought the smiling man I'm told and his name was cold But I can't believe.
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I'm dancing with the fish handle fish on Thursday nights with AJ.
Cryptid Enthusiast
The mothman sightings and the solar storm still come to a gather the secret city underground mysterious number stations planet surfboard to project Stargate and what the dark watchers found been a simulation don't you worry though.
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The black knight satellite believe I'm dancing with the fish head fish on Thursday nights with they j the troops and weapons I repeat all through the night and we'll fish on Thursday nights when they change you and weapons I'm be up to the night.
Cryptid Enthusiast
All I ever.
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There's a time and a place for a filet of fish, but breakfast is for sausage biscuits. McDonald's breakfast comes first.
Podcast Summary: The Why Files: Operation Podcast – Episode 604: Cryptids Vol. 4 | Bunyips, Yowie and Australian Nightmare Fuel
Introduction
In the captivating episode titled "Cryptids Vol. 4 | Bunyips, Yowie and Australian Nightmare Fuel," The Why Files: Operation Podcast delves deep into the mysterious and often terrifying world of Australian cryptids. Hosted by A.J., the podcast navigates through indigenous legends, historical sightings, and modern encounters, offering a comprehensive exploration of these enigmatic creatures that inhabit Australia’s vast wilderness.
Exploring the Yowie: Australia’s Bigfoot
The episode commences by painting a vivid picture of Australia’s Outback—a land both ancient and perilous, home to unique megafauna and shrouded in countless unexplained disappearances. Central to this discussion is the Yowie, a cryptid akin to North America’s Bigfoot or Canada’s Sasquatch.
Indigenous Origins and Descriptions
The Yowie is known by several indigenous names, including Dulaga, Quinkin, and Yahoo. The settlers, seeking a term that would resonate with Western listeners, adopted "Yowie," a name inspired by the startled exclamations of those who claim to have encountered the creature.
Notable Quote:
Humorous Commentator [01:58]: "Yowie. They literally named it the word they said when they saw it. Eh, Well, I guess it's better than naming it. Holy. Look at the size of that thing."
Dean Harrison’s Encounters
Dean Harrison, a renowned cryptid researcher, shares his extensive 25-year pursuit of the Yowie. His firsthand experiences lend credibility to the existence of this elusive predator. According to Dean, the Yowie stands between 7 to 8 feet tall, draped in dark hair, with broad shoulders, a sloped forehead, and haunting amber eyes. Beyond its physical attributes, Dean recounts the offensive stench the creature emits—a "sweet and sickly, like the smell of death."
Notable Quote:
Dean Harrison [02:36]: "It's like a burnt electrical. Like if you blew up a TV or a radio. That burnt Bakelite. Electrical smell. And it seems to permeate everything in the area."
Historical Sightings and Patterns
Dean’s research uncovers a plethora of sightings spanning decades, from police records and park ranger logs to eyewitness accounts from hikers and campers. A recurring pattern emerges: the Yowie targets individuals who are isolated and vulnerable, often preying on those miles away from assistance.
One of the earliest documented sightings dates back to 1882 when Henry James McCooey reported observing an indigenous ape-like creature on the New South Wales coast. McCooey's confidence in his encounter led him to offer the Australian Museum a substantial sum to capture the Yowie alive—a deal they never accepted.
Notable Quote:
Dean Harrison [07:01]: "That wasn't a man. And it wasn't any animal I've ever seen. I've seen things most people haven't, but not like that."
The Bunyip: Guardian of the Waters
Transitioning from the Yowie, the podcast delves into the legend of the Bunyip—a formidable creature rooted in Aboriginal mythology. The Bunyip serves as both a mythical guardian and a punisher, enforcing respect for sacred sites and environmental sanctity.
Regional Variations and Descriptions
The Bunyip is a shapeshifter, with its appearance morphing based on regional folklore. From resembling a giant seal to embodying the amalgamation of an emu, crocodile, and other creatures, its most consistent feature is its association with deep water bodies.
Notable Quote:
Narrator [09:16]: "It's a guardian, dragging away people who pollute the water."
Historical Evidence and Museum Mysteries
A pivotal moment in Bunyip lore is the 1846 discovery of an unidentified skull along the Murrumbidgee River. Despite initial identification by tribal elders as a Bunyip, scientific experts labeled it a deformed calf. The Australian Museum subsequently locked away the skull, and it vanished without a trace, fueling speculation about institutional suppression of cryptid evidence.
Notable Quote:
Narrator [21:33]: "But here's what bothers me about the Bunyip evidence. The skull was displayed in a museum for two days. Elders identified it as a Bunyip. Experts said it was a deformed calf. Either way, it vanished."
The Yara Mayahu: A New Threat
Introducing a lesser-known cryptid, the Yara Mayahu, the podcast explores a creature that abducts and alters its victims. Unlike the Yowie and Bunyip, the Yara Mayahu operates silently, attaching to its prey beneath fig trees and slowly draining their blood. Victims experience missing time and profound behavioral changes, suggesting a method of reproduction rather than mere predation.
Notable Quote:
Humorous Commentator [15:50]: "This sounds like the worst hickey ever."
Analyzing the Evidence: Myth or Reality?
The podcast critically examines the evidence supporting the existence of these cryptids. While countless sightings from credible individuals—rangers, veterans, police officers—lend some weight to their existence, the lack of tangible proof like clear photographs or definitive biological samples remains a significant barrier. The hosts draw parallels with other global cryptids, emphasizing the recurring theme of elusive, large humanoid creatures across different cultures.
Notable Quote:
Humorous Commentator [21:11]: "Or maybe, maybe when A giant hair rape throws you into a tree, your memory gets a little fuzzy. You ever think of that, huh? It's called pbf. Post Bigfoot Attack stress disorder. Human look it up."
The Role of Museums and Suppression of Evidence
A recurring theme is the mistrust towards museums and scientific institutions regarding cryptid evidence. The disappearance of critical artifacts, such as the Bunyip skull and other remains sent for study, raises questions about institutional bias and the potential suppression of groundbreaking discoveries.
Conclusion: Lessons from Legend
Ultimately, the podcast posits that whether or not these cryptids are real, the legends serve essential purposes within indigenous cultures. They are cautionary tales designed to enforce societal norms, respect for nature, and community cohesion. Ignoring these ancient stories might pose risks, not necessarily from mythical creatures, but from the inherent dangers of Australia’s unforgiving wilderness.
Final Thoughts
The Why Files: Operation Podcast masterfully intertwines folklore, eyewitness accounts, and historical data to present a compelling narrative about Australia’s cryptids. By balancing skepticism with open-mindedness, the episode encourages listeners to appreciate the rich tapestry of myths while acknowledging the real threats posed by the natural environment.
Notable Quote:
Narrator [22:45]: "What fairytale is that?"
Engagement and Community
The episode concludes with an invitation for listeners to engage further through subscriptions, Patreon support, and community platforms like Discord, fostering a sense of camaraderie among cryptid enthusiasts.
Final Quote:
Narrator [26:04]: "Those are the plugs. And that's gonna do it. Until next time, be safe, be kind, know that you are appreciated."
Key Takeaways:
This episode serves as both a thrilling exploration of Australia’s mythical creatures and a thoughtful examination of the interplay between folklore and reality.