Wolf bites dog in Gelderland nature reserve; Municipality urges caution

A wolf bit a dog on Tuesday morning in the Renderklippen nature reserve near Epe in the province of Gelderland. The municipality has reported that the dog “is doing well."

The wolf was chased away by walkers. According to the municipality, this is the first time a wolf has come so close to both people and dogs in the nature reserve on the Veluwe. Epe and neighboring municipality Heerde are urging people to be alert while walking on the Renderklippen and to keep their dogs on a leash.

Last month, a dog was bitten in Nunspeet, Gelderland, possibly by a wolf. The municipality then advised people to keep dogs on a leash for the time being and to maintain a distance from wolves in nature areas.

The municipality of Epe has advised people to “make loud noises to scare the wolf away” and not to chase after the wolf if they encounter one in the area.

There have been issues regarding wolf attacks on humans and dogs in the Netherlands throughout the last few years. Around 500 biting incidents, which includes wolf attacks on livestock, took place throughout the country in 2024, with at least 237 of these incidents taking place in Gelderland.

This even led to Gelderland being given permission to shoot and kill a wolf for the first time in May after it had bitten a jogger in the Hoge Veluwe Park.

A wolf was also believed to have killed a dog in Leusden, Utrecht, in July 2024.