Are wolves returning to Denmark?

After 200 years’ absence, wolves from Central Europe may have started returning to Denmark. Last week, several witnesses reported seeing a wolf in West Jutland, and one expert believes there is good reason to prepare for the re-emergence of the wolf.

A hundred wolves could come

Peter Sunde is a predator researcher in the Department of Bioscience at Aarhus University and one of Denmark’s leading experts on wolves.

Sunde believes that in just a few years Jutland could become home to a population of up to a hundred wolves, who would have no problem finding food and space.

“Theoretically speaking, there is space for a hundred wolves in Jutland. What is possible in practical terms is another matter entirely,” explained Sunde.

Nothing to fear

Sunde has a clear answer to the question of whether we should be afraid of the return of the wolf:

“People have nothing to fear. Wolves are so shy that they are not dangerous to humans,” he said.

Sunde does believe, however, that other areas could face problems if more wolves appear.

“Sheep, for example, could be harmed. And those who hunt natural game such as red deer and roe deer would have fewer animals to shoot,” said Sunde.

Preparations essential

Sunde believes that we need to draw up a plan for how we will handle the wolves when, and if, they return. First and foremost, the plan should include some objectives:

“What do we want? How many wolves do we want to have? In what parts of the country do we want to have them? And what resources will we have for regulating the population?” said Sunde.