Utrecht estate reopens after wolf incident

The Den Treek estate in Leusden fully reopened on Monday after being closed over the summer due to an incident with a wolf and a child. The wolf pups in the estate have grown, and their parents should no longer be on the defensive, wolf experts concluded. It is safe enough to reopen, RTV Utrecht reports.

The municipality of Leusden closed Den Treek this summer after a wolf attacked a girl on July 16. The child suffered minor injuries, but as the incident happened only a week after an incident between a wolf and a dog, the municipality and province of Utrecht decided an emergency decree was in order.

“There was no urgent advice from the province of Utrecht to extend the emergency order,” a municipal spokesperson told RTV Utrecht. “The expectation is that the removal of the barriers will start today. This will be done in consultation with the manager of Den Treek.”

Experts no longer expect defensive behavior from the wolf pair living on the estate now that their pups are bigger. “In addition, the summer holidays are over, and there are fewer people in the forest. This reduces the chance of a wolf and a human encountering each other,” the province reported.

Signs have been placed in the estate, advising visitors how to behave in the wolf area. Locals are happy the estate is open again and are unconcerned about encountering a wolf.

“I have never seen one,” a cyclist told the broadcaster. “It is good that there are some tips on the signs. If we stick to them, we may be able to live together with the wolf, provided that we also take measures to protect sheep and horses. But I don’t think it is very useful to constantly close off areas.”

“We’re simply going back there,” two hikers said about the estate reopening. “We can enjoy the part that was closed off in recent weeks again.” They’re not afraid of the wolf, either. “I’ve been on long journeys and slept in a tent with lions around me. I don’t get scared easily.”