DNA confirms that "problem wolf" bit six-year-old in Utrechtse Heuvelrug

A wolf that has been involved in several incidents in the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, with the code name GW3237m, was the animal that bit a six-year-old child on July 30, a DNA analysis from Wageningen University & Research (WUR) has confirmed. Wolf experts had already suspected that this wolf, nicknamed Bram, was involved in the incident. The DNA result is the final confirmation of that suspicion, the province of Utrecht reports.

Bram had been involved in other incidents in the area and is a danger to humans, specialists say. The province of Utrecht was given permission to shoot the wolf last month. Animal Rights and the Faunabescherming had gone to court in an attempt to block the shooting permit, but they were unsuccessful. It was reported several days ago that authorities are struggling to locate Bram.

As long as Bram remains in the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, experts say it is unsafe to engage in recreational activities in the forests, nature reserves, and estates between the A12 and A28 highways.

The municipalities of Woudenberg, Utrechtse Heuvelrug, Zeist, and Leusden, along with Staatsbosbeheer, Utrechts Landschap, the Den Treek-Henschoten estate, the Regional Implementation Service Utrecht (RUD), and the province of Utrecht, are therefore maintaining their advice to avoid the area. Residents and business owners in the area are advised to be extra vigilant.

The advice has led to a loss of income for many businesses in the area. One entrepreneur said that the number of visitors to his restaurant has now been halved since the warning has been in place.