Denmark Issues Tourist Warning Over Wolf Encounters in West Jutland

Authorities in the Varde municipality and the tourism board Visit Vesterhavet have distributed multilingual leaflets at holiday homes, campsites and visitor centres in the western Jutland coastal towns of Oksbøl, Vejers and Blåvand. The pamphlets warn that young wolves, whose numbers have risen to about 49 individuals across the peninsula since their return after two centuries of absence, are showing unusually low fear of humans, approaching people, dogs and vacation cabins.

Although no wolf attacks on people have been recorded in Denmark, officials advise tourists to stay calm, keep eye contact, stand still and not turn their backs or run. If a wolf does not retreat, they should shout, clap and wave their arms. Children under ten should be supervised by an adult. The guidance also suggests photographing the animal and, as a last resort, using forceful deterrence, but emphasizes that wolf aggression toward humans remains unlikely.