Province of Utrecht wants to shoot wolf after DNA investigation shows it bit woman

A DNA investigation has proved that it was a wolf that bit a woman over a week ago at the Den Treek estate in Utrecht. According to the DNA investigation, it was the same wolf that was involved in incidents on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. The province wants to have the animal shot because they feel it is a danger to humans.

The Faunabeheereenheid Utrecht is going to apply for a shooting permit. It could take several weeks before this permit comes through, the province reported.

Last summer, the province wanted to put a tracker on a wolf that was getting too close to humans and dogs and had knocked a girl over. They would be able to keep an eye on the animal in this way, and it would have made it easier to take action if needed.

However, the court suspended that application because the wolf was not a solitary wolf but the father of a pair of cubs. The province already indicated then that new facts could possibly lead to "more far-reaching measures.”

The results of the quick DNA analysis after the incident at Den Treek are comparable to already collected DNA information on wolves. It proves that the wolf in question has the codename GW3237m and that it was also showing problematic behavior a year ago.

The manager of the Den Treek-Henschoten estate, situated at the transition from the Utrechtse Heuvelrug to the Gelderse Vallei, called on people to avoid the area last week. A part of Den Treek was closed to the public for weeks last year to prevent any incidents with a wolf.

To keep the likelihood of new incidents as low as possible and prevent more drastic measures like the closure of the area, visitors are now warned not to go into the forest alone, to keep children in their sight, and to stick to the paths.

Runners, mountain bikers, and people on horses are advised to be extra alert because these activities “can stimulate the wolf's hunting instinct,” a letter to the Provincial Council reads. Dogs are already required to be on a leash in the nature area.