Denmark expands hunting rules to capture problem wolf in Houstrup

Authorities in Denmark have expanded regulations to facilitate the hunting of a ‘problem wolf’ that has been approaching residents and private gardens in the Houstrup area of West Jutland. Following reports of the wolf entering private properties and nearing people, the Agency for Green Area Conversion and Water Environment (SGAV) has granted Naturstyrelsen (the Danish Nature Agency) permission to shoot the animal on private land following agreements with landowners.

New measures allow hunters to shoot the wolf from distances greater than 30 meters and permit the use of shotguns. Previously, strict requirements regarding the animal's proximity and specific behaviors had complicated efforts to locate and regulate it. Naturstyrelsen has been utilizing thermal drones and an SMS service for citizen observations to track the animal's movements.

Minister for Nature and Animal Welfare, Christian Rabjerg Madsen, stated that increasing these capabilities is essential to ensuring citizens in the area feel safe again. Despite intensive patrols, the wolf has proven difficult to capture due to its unpredictable movements within the summer house areas.