Autopsy of problem wolf may provide answers to several questions

The problem wolf from Nørre Nebel is now to be autopsied in Copenhagen. The autopsy can, among other things, provide answers as to whether there is a physical cause for the wolf's problematic behavior.

The wolf was shot within the regulation zone that was established for this purpose. (Photo: © Claus Fisker, Ritzau Scanpix) 32 minutes ago

There is no doubt about how the problem wolf, which was shot on Thursday (https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/problemulv-i-vestjylland-er-blevet-skudt) near Nørre Nebel, died. Nevertheless, it must be autopsied. It may turn out that the carcass holds important knowledge about its behavior.

The autopsy must first and foremost confirm whether it is the right wolf, but it will also be able to investigate whether there could be a physical explanation for the wolf's problematic behavior.

Anne Sofie Vedsted Hammer, veterinarian, PhD, and associate professor at the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at the University of Copenhagen, and her team will perform the autopsy.

- With this wolf, or other wolves that are presumed to have had unusual behavior, we are interested in ruling out something that could be the cause. So we look for signs of injuries, diseases, and all types of changes that could explain why the animal has had atypical behavior.

The Danish Nature Agency has previously stated that there is a "high degree of certainty" that it is the problem wolf that has been shot.

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What makes a wolf a problem wolf?

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* Lack of instinctive shyness towards humans

* Movement in urban areas despite attempts to scare it away

* Wolves that have livestock as prey, and wolves that attack livestock despite relevant and reasonable deterrent measures – including wolves that have attacked livestock behind wolf-proof fences once

* If they attack dogs or pose a danger to human safety

Source: The Agency for Green Area Restructuring and Water Environment (https://sgavmst.dk/natur-og-jagt/regulering-og-udsaetning-af-vildt/regulering-af-vildt/regulering-af-ulv)

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Risk of 'hybrid wolf' investigated

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During the autopsy, it will also be investigated where it migrated from and whether it is 100 percent wolf, explains Anne Sofie Vedsted Hammer.

- We haven't experienced it in Denmark, but wolves can actually have puppies with dogs, and hybrids between dogs and wolves can have unwanted behavior.

Hybrid wolves are therefore not wanted at all, she explains. However, she does not expect that this is such a wolf.

The wolf in the West Jutland area was categorized as a problem wolf after it had repeatedly been approachable towards humans and been very difficult to scare away.

This is the second time (https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/problemulv-skudt-foerste-gang-i-danmark) that a problem wolf has been shot in Denmark.

The carcass is now being X-rayed, the fur is being checked for parasites, samples are being taken from the organs, and examinations of the stomach and intestinal contents are being carried out.

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