- Dangerous Wolf: Parents Should Not Take Their Children Into the Forest
Following multiple alleged attacks by a wolf on children, Dutch authorities have warned against visiting a forest area near the city of Utrecht. The province of Utrecht has advised "all visitors to be extremely cautious when visiting the Utrecht Ridge Hills area," it was announced on Wednesday. "It is strongly discouraged to visit these woods with young children."
Previously, there had been several "disturbing" incidents involving a wolf, one of which resulted in a child being bitten. According to authorities, on Wednesday morning, a "large animal," suspected to be a wolf, had knocked over a child near the small village of Austerlitz, about 16 kilometers east of Utrecht.
The child was reportedly unharmed. However, ten days earlier, a young girl on a school trip had been bitten in the same area. A DNA test confirmed that the animal was a wolf. Additionally, in early July, a woman reported that her Poodle had been killed by a wolf.
Authorities believe that "it is likely that it is the same wolf involved in the previous incidents with the other girl and a dog." Wolf experts say the animal is displaying "atypical and disturbing behavior," as wolves typically do not attack humans.
The Utrecht Ridge Hills is a heavily forested area popular among hikers, cyclists, and runners. Wolves reappeared in the Netherlands in 2015 after an absence of 150 years, and dozens have been spotted since then.
Despite the wolf-related incidents, many families still enjoy activities in the Utrecht Ridge Hills. However, due to the wolf's aggressive behavior towards children, it's recommended to avoid bringing them to this forest area.
