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On Thursday 19 December 2024, Luxembourg's Nature and Forest Agency reported a possible wolf presence in the Dahl area (in north-western Luxembourg).
Two dead sheep were recently found on a pasture in the area, and the animals had evidently been killed by a predator. Based on the report on the kills by experts from the Nature and Forest Agency, a wolf could not be ruled out as the culprit. For the purpose of checking using genetic analyses, samples were taken from the bite wounds of a dead sheep in the hope of obtaining enough saliva with usable DNA. The samples will be sent to the Senckenberg research institute in Gelnhausen, Germany, which is the reference laboratory in this area. The results are expected in a few weeks.
The Nature and Forest Agency noted that there have been regular confirmed sightings of individual wolves in Luxembourg since 2017. Wolf packs have also been living again for several years in neighbouring countries, for example in the High Fens in Belgium.
Members of the public are reminded to immediately report any possible signs of the presence of wolves to the Nature and Forest Agency for monitoring purposes, via email: wolf@anf.etat.lu.
The authorities recalled that the wolf is strictly protected throughout Europe. It plays an important role in our ecosystems, where as a top predator it can contribute to reducing excessive game densities. In recent years, Luxembourg has already prepared for the possible return of the wolf in order to define from the outset how to deal with this animal species. This is addressed in the action and management plan for dealing with wolves in Luxembourg, which was drawn up together with all stakeholders from agriculture, science, nature conservation, private forest owners and hunting and presented to the public.
Shy creatures, wolves generally avoid direct contact with humans. Encounters between humans and wolves are therefore "extremely rare, but not impossible", noted the authorities. Wolves usually retreat as soon as they notice a human, but they can also be curious and examine the person more closely before retreating. The brochure "Wölfe in Luxemburg?" (Wolves in Luxembourg?) explains, among other things, rules of conduct that should be followed in the event of an encounter with a wolf, namely:
- do not run away, as this can trigger the animal's hunting instinct;
- do not move in the direction of the wolf. Always keep an eye on the wolf, but avoid eye contact;
- attract the wolf's attention. Call out to it and wave your arms. If the wolf does not retreat immediately, move back slowly and maintain a respectful distance;
- if the wolf continues to approach, continue to call out to the animal and throw branches, stones or similar objects at it;
- never try to attract wolves with food (not even to take photos).
The wolf action plan and the brochure on rules of conduct are available free of charge online and in print from the Nature and Forest Agency via tel.: 247-56652, as well as in the administration's nature conservation centres: A Wiewesch in Manternach, Biodiversum in Remerschen, Burfelt near Insenborn, Ellergronn in Esch-sur-Alzette and Mirador in Steinfort. It is also available online via www.emwelt.lu.
