Another wolf spotted in Belgium

Another wolf spotted in Belgium

Another wolf has been spotted in Belgium near Neufchâteau in the province of Luxembourg, the nature conservation body WWF Belgium tweeted on Friday. The information was confirmed by the "Wolf Network", a group of experts set up by the Walloon government in 2017. This makes the fourth wolf observed in the territory since the wild animal's return to Belgium after a one-hundred-year absence.
 
The canine was observed at Ebly in the commune of Léglise (Luxembourg province) during the night of April 30 - May 1. The animal was captured on camera.
 
"DNA tests using its droppings have made it possible to ascertain that the wolf was 'Haploptype W22' from the italo-alpine line, whereas the other wolves spotted until now in Belgium all came from the germano-polish," a spokeswoman for WWF Belgium, Jessica Nibelle, said. "It looks like it ranged more than 800 km from the Alps before getting here, which leads one to think that we have a young wolf that is one or two years old," she emphasised, explaining that young wolves tended to leave their parents to wander off alone in search of fresh territory. The animal's sex was not yet known.
 
The predator, which is at the top of the food chain, would have to remain for "a certain length of time" in Belgium, according to the WWF Belgium. "Actually, it ought to find enough game here to survive."
 
"It augurs well for biodiversity," the body working for the conservation of the most threatened wild species, commented.
 
The news, however, will not be so much to the liking of the region's sheep and goat rearers, worried about their animals. In this respect, the WWF reminds us that it has set up, with the Natagora Association for the Protection of Nature, a programme to help farmers protect their livestock.
 
The young wolf has joined the now famous wolf Naya that came to Belgium in January 2018 and has since become sustainably established in the Limburg forest. She was joined in August 2018 by her mate August. Naya is expecting cubs. "And it is very probable she has already given birth because the pair have not been seen for about 3 weeks."
 
Another wolf was spotted elsewhere in the Hautes Fagnes moorland area in June 2018.
 
The Brussels Times


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