North Jutland warns residents to avoid wolf breeding area

Only residents in North Jutland are being advised to stay away from a wolf habitat, although wolf pups are expected in several parts of Jutland, DR reports.

The Danish Nature Agency has put up laminated notices recommending that people choose another place to walk if they are heading into Bunken dune plantation in North Jutland.

The advice follows an incident on Friday in which a runner came face to face with a male wolf that bared its teeth while protecting a pup. Authorities want to give the wolves peace and prevent similar conflicts.

“We experienced an incident in which the wolf was surprised and displayed very aggressive behaviour. We do not want to expose anyone to that again, even though experts say it is not dangerous,” Minister for Nature and Animal Welfare Christian Rabjerg Madsen told DR News.

The same recommendation does not currently apply elsewhere in Jutland. The Danish Nature Agency told DR News that it has no plans to close other areas.

“I think this situation is rare. That is also what the researchers tell us. But we were ourselves somewhat surprised by how frightening such a wolf can appear,” said Mads Jensen, deputy director of the Danish Nature Agency.

Wolf pups expected in 10 areas

There are 10 wolf pairs in Jutland where experts expect pups to have been born. However, wolf pups born south of the Limfjord should not expect the same signs as those in North Jutland.

The main reason is that many people move around Bunken dune plantation, Mads Jensen said.

“That is not the case in the other breeding areas. We do not have as many people there, and we have not had similar incidents,” he said.

Asked whether the measure was intended to protect people or the wolves, Jensen said it was meant to prevent conflicts that were undesirable for both.

The latest count of the wolf population found 49 adult wolves in Denmark at the end of April, just before new pups were born.

Authorities have previously closed areas

This is not the first time authorities have closed parts of a natural area to give breeding wolves peace. Parts of Stråsø plantation near Holstebro have been closed several times, and the same approach has been used at Hovborg.

“The main benefit is that we prevent the wolves from becoming accustomed to people. If you create such zones, however, it is important that the restrictions are enforced. Otherwise, people risk seeking them out to see the wolves,” said Peter Sunde, a wolf expert and professor at Aarhus University’s Department of Ecoscience.

Vejen and Varde municipalities have previously allowed a landowner to close an area at Klegod, but this year they rejected the request.

They consulted the Agency for Green Land Transition and Water Areas, which, like Sunde, pointed out that human activity can accustom wolves to people and potentially lead to inappropriate behaviour.

At the same time, the agency believes the need for protection is declining as the wolf population grows, while the public should generally retain access to nature.