Bhaergala

A mix between two of the most successful group hunters on the planet, acts solitary and hunts like a leopard.

The Bhaergala, introduced in Dragon Magazine's Creature Catalog II, looks like a cross between a wolf and a lion, making you think it would be a social hunter right? No, it's a solitary humanoid eating specialist, that acts like a leopard despite being built nothing like one.

On top of that, it smells like freshly baked bread. It likes to collect broken instruments, sounds like a human, and can mimic speech and speak nearly perfect Common to lure prey. They can also reflect spells, have a +3 save against poison, and can leap about 60 feet to the ground without damage.

So it's like a Leucrotta but stronger and smells better. And also like the Leucrotta, this is one of those monsters that a DM/GM with an innawoods/hunting bent can sic on their adventures without getting too fantastic, perfect for those who like "plausible" monsters that can be hunted for minor rewards while still providing a challenge to a low-level group.

For some reason, TSR decided that this monster was well-written enough to canonize it as a beast of the Forgotten Realms. They debuted officially in 2e in the "Monstrous Compendium Volume Three: Forgotten Realms Appendix", and were stated to be natives of both Chult and the forests of Cormanthor in "The Jungles of Chuilt" and "The Ruins of Myth Drannor" respectively. Demihuman Deities even made them divine servitors for the deities Rillifane Rallathil and Solonor Thelandira. However, the bhaergala's star in the Realms was short-lived; they never made it past 2nd and into 3rd edition.

According to the Dark Sun article "The Monstrous Side of the Dark Sun World" in Dragon Magazine #173, bhaerlgaras can also be found on Athas.

Trivia

The bhaergala may be based on the bizarre heraldic version of a tiger that showed up on some coats of arms in medieval times. The creature has a wolf-like head and supposedly sweet-smelling breath to lure prey.