Evidence of Wolf Presence Indicated in Northern Luxembourg

There has been a concrete indication of the presence of a wolf in Raum Fouhren in northern Luxembourg on Monday this week.

On Monday 28 February 2018, the nature administration reported the finding of a dead sheep, which had most likely been attacked by a wild animal.

The livestock was immediately examined by experts of the nature management according to all important criteria in order to obtain indications of the perpetrator and, based on this practical expertise, a wolf attack could not be excluded as the cause.

For the purpose of verification by means of genetic analyses, samples were taken from the injured sheep’s bite wounds and sent to the Senckenberg Institute in Gelnhausen (Germany), which is the reference laboratory in this area. The results can be expected in a few weeks.

In July 2017, the Nature Administration in the Garnich area provided proof of a wolf presence for the first time in 124 years in Luxembourg.

Moreover, the government’s Wolf Action Plan "Wolf aims to inform the public on the nature of the wold and rules of conduct around these shy animals which are protected throughout Europe. Over the last few years, Luxembourg has already prepared for the possible return of the wolf in order to define the handling of this species from the outset. This was done in the action and management plan for the handling of wolves in Luxembourg, which was developed together with stakeholders from the sectors of agriculture, science, nature conservation, private forest owners and hunting and presented to the public in 2017.

Any hints of the presence of wolves should be reported immediately to the Nature Management via email: wolf@anf.etat.lu.