Scout leaders remain calm as wolves spotted near activity areas

Scout leaders in Denmark say they are not alarmed by recent wolf sightings near their activity areas, despite warnings from authorities about children under ten being left alone in regions with wolves, DR reports.

At the Blue Scouts group in Skørping, wolves have been seen near their meeting house and in adjacent forests. Group leader Torben Momme Holm says children occasionally mention the wolves but are reassured by leaders.

“Sometimes the kids say, ‘Oh no, I hope there aren’t any wolves,’” Holm told DR. “We have a calming talk with them, telling them not to be afraid because we’re always together in groups.”

He added that scouts rarely go out alone, especially at night, when adults are almost always present to ensure safety.

Danish environmental authorities recently advised against letting young children walk unaccompanied in wolf areas, following several incidents where wolves approached humans without attacking. However, the Nature and Environmental Appeal Board stressed that wolves do not pose an immediate threat to people.

Holm dismissed the warning as an attempt by authorities to avoid responsibility. “If something goes wrong, they can say they issued a warning,” he said. “If we’re going to have wolves in Denmark, we need to accept some extra precautions—but I don’t think it’s a real problem.”