Howling wolf banishes Danish blues

THE howling of wolves has been heard in Denmark. The species became extinct there in 1813 but, two centuries later, footprints have been found in Jutland. According to the Timber Wolf Information Network, at least four individuals visited the country recently.

DNA analyses of droppings show two of them came from Germany. Two others were Polish. Young wolves travel huge distances, searching for food and places to live. One of the visitors walked 1,200km to reach Denmark. These vagrant wanderers, it was thought, were unlikely to become permanent residents. The recent nocturnal howls, however, have made zoologists think again.

Holly Root-Gutteridge, a wolf expert from Nottingham University, says the howls don’t come from a single individual but are produced by an entire family. There are a least two adults and pups eight to 10 months old. Wolves, to everyone’s surprise, are breeding again in Denmark. Another milestone in the recovery of Europe’s most persecuted mammal has been reached.