In addition, from April last year to April this year, the DNA of seven different wolves has been found in dead animals in the three northern provinces. Three of these have only been identified in 2021. And two wolves that were still active here at the beginning of this year have already left.
It is unclear whether the Drenthe wolf couple has been involved in wolf attacks in recent months. More recent DNA results and damage amounts are not available, they will only be updated after Prinsjesdag.
Reports of wolf attacks rose to an all-time high in the past month. As many as 57 animals were killed in 28 attacks in August. It is striking that the prey more often involved larger animals in recent months; in August there were three calves and a pony.
DNA research has yet to show whether it really is a wolf attack. For more than six months, the DNA results have shown that almost all reports of wolf attacks were indeed made by a wolf. But last June there was suddenly remarkably often no clear result. According to BIJ12, which carries out the claims settlement for the provinces, there is no demonstrable reason for this and it is just a coincidence that the results have suddenly become more unclear recently. For example, if a cadaver is found after more than 24 hours, this can negatively affect the results of the DNA test.