16 April 2026, 07:31

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Wildlife

Man was not bitten by a wolf after all

Scientists have found no evidence to support the alleged attack by a wolf on a man in Bülstedt, Lower Saxony. A municipal worker had claimed to have been bitten by a wolf or wolf-like animal.

Editorial team Wild beim Wild — 4 December 2018

Scientists have found no evidence to support the alleged attack by a wolf on a man in Bülstedt, Lower Saxony. A municipal worker had claimed to have been bitten by a wolf or wolf-like animal.

The Senckenberg Institute in Gelnhausen, the reference laboratory for genetic wolf research in Germany, had tested animal hair samples, the municipal worker's jumper, and a hammer for DNA traces. None of the samples yielded any evidence of a wolf.

No wolf DNA found whatsoever

Environment Minister Olaf Lies: «I would have wished for a clearer result. What is clear is that we now need further findings. Leads regarding stray dogs in the area must be followed up.»

A municipal worker had been bitten the previous Tuesday in the small town located approximately 30 kilometres north-east of Bremen. The man was working on his knees at a fence in a green area of the cemetery when his hand was suddenly seized.

«Since the return of wolves, no person has ever been attacked», said Roland Gramling, spokesperson for the WWF. More on wildlife and on hunting myths.

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