Description
The wolf has returned to the Netherlands, notably on the Veluwe where several packs are now present. Wolves are large, intelligent predators that are naturally wary of people.
Behavior
Wolves generally avoid people. They're active at dusk and at night. A wolf that doesn't flee from human contact or that acts aggressively may have become habituated to people — this is dangerous.
What to do
Make yourself look big, make noise, and hold eye contact. Back away slowly without running. Throw objects if a wolf gets too close. Call emergency services and the wolf-reporting line for dangerous behavior.
Pro tip
On the Veluwe: keep dogs leashed in wolf territory. Wolves see loose-running dogs as rivals or prey.
Interesting fact
A wolf pack holds a territory of 150–300 km². The wolves on the Veluwe descend from wolves that migrated into the Netherlands from Germany.