Luumäki reorganizes school transportation due to wolf sightings in Finland

In Luumäki, a municipality neighboring Lappeenranta, school transportation for elementary students has been reorganized due to sightings of wolves in the area. Some students attending Kangasvarren School have been picked up by taxi at their homes since the beginning of the school year, rather than walking to a designated pick-up point.

According to Kai Könönen, the municipality’s director of welfare and education, special transportation arrangements have been made for fewer than ten students in eastern Luumäki. These students would have to navigate through the woods to reach the taxi pick-up spot, prompting the need for the adjustment. This measure does not affect all students who use school transportation.

Könönen stated that this is a precautionary measure in alignment with guidelines from authorities, and it will remain in place until further notice.

Wolf sightings have been reported across various areas in Luumäki, including Kaitjärvi, Jurvala, and Toikkala, primarily south of Highway 6. The municipality has a population of just under 4,400 residents, and Kangasvarren School serves 57 students. The second school in the commune is located in the central area of Taavetti.

Throughout the summer and autumn, there have been over 30 wolf sightings in Luumäki, as noted by Antti Mönkkönen, the wolf liaison for the local game management association. While there may be periods of a week without reports due to residents becoming accustomed to the presence of wolves, sightings have often occurred in residential areas and have been documented by game cameras. Fortunately, the wolves have not displayed aggressive behavior towards humans. Any wolf sightings should be reported to emergency services, who will alert the police. Currently, Mönkkönen estimates there are between five and ten wolves in the area, following the earlier presence of a lone wolf spotted in June.