The population of wolves has slowly started to rise in one European country leading to the government to warn the public on what to do in the incident they are attacked by the beast
Travellers in one European country have been advised to use “maximum resistance” if they are attacked by wolves.
Denmark reintroduced the pack animal to the peninsula of Jutland after they went extinct 200 years ago. Despite it being rare for wolves to approach people in the wild, the government has issued cautionary advice on what to do during a wolf attack.
The municipality of Varde and Visit Vesterhavet have distributed flyers containing the guidance around holiday homes, campsites and tourist offices in Danish, English and German. The flyers told tourists to hold eye contact with the animals and to clap and waiver their hands during the encounter. People have also been advised to not to turn their backs to an approaching wolf.
While wolves approaching people are usually uncommon, an instance of young wolves approaching people was seen in the popular Danish tourist destination Oksbøl. The flyers have urged people when confronted with the beast to “stare directly at it” to “show dominance”.
While there has not been any wolf attacks, the tourists have been told to “offer maximum resistance: hit and kick and use any blunt weapon”. Government advice has added that children under the age of 10 should be accompanied by an adult when in the Oksbøl area.
Wolf expert Peter Sunde, a wildlife ecology professor at Aarhus University, said: “During the winter and spring of 2026, at least two young wolves were observed approaching humans and exhibiting markedly reduced flight distances in the area around Oksbøl that is a tourist hotspot. One of these wolves is still alive.”
The expert added: “To prevent similar behaviour from developing in future generations of young wolves, it is important that people who live in or visit wolf habitats – including tourists – understand that they should neither approach wolves nor leave food that may attract them.”
The municipality of Varde’s second deputy mayor, Sandie Eis Ravn has stated the campaign was aimed at informing tourists due to the request of local businesses.
He stated: “If you are visiting somewhere and you know there is a wolf in the nearby forest, to make sure you have the right code of conduct when you meet this creature,” she said.
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