As wolves return to Denmark after a 200-year absence, authorities are urging tourists to adopt specific behaviours during encounters. With an estimated 49 wolves now in Jutland, the government has issued guidelines advising visitors to stand still, maintain eye contact, and resist any aggressive behaviour from the animals. This is crucial as recent sightings of young wolves approaching humans have raised concerns about their habituation to people.
The advice comes in response to incidents where young wolves exhibited reduced flight distances, likely due to previous interactions with tourists. Experts warn that if tourists do not follow these guidelines, it could lead to more wolves becoming comfortable around humans, potentially resulting in dangerous encounters in the future.
Local officials are distributing flyers in multiple languages to ensure that visitors are informed about how to behave around wolves. The guidelines include not approaching or feeding the animals, which could further encourage them to seek human interaction.
While there have been no recorded attacks on humans, the advice to offer maximum resistance in the event of an attack highlights the seriousness of the situation. This campaign aims to protect both tourists and wildlife, ensuring that the delicate balance between humans and nature is maintained as wolves reclaim their place in Denmark’s ecosystem.
Source: The Guardian
