To push the boundaries for wolf-kind

January 22, 2018 9:52 AM

Pioneering female becomes first wolf in Belgium in a century "The first recorded wolf on Belgian soil for at least 100 years has made her bloody mark." So begins this article from the Guardian.
posted by readinghippo (31 comments total)

I just saw a report about it on the tv news (including some very graphic images of sheep intestines) - this story has been all over the headlines here in Belgium! The media have also tried to stress that wolves aren't dangerous to humans, like in this article (in Dutch - the title translates as: "Help, a wolf! What should I do?").
posted by Desertshore at 10:26 AM on January 22, 2018 [1 favorite]

I haven't been paying attention: does this automatically trigger British mobilisation, or is that still caught up in Brexit talks?
posted by 7segment at 10:43 AM on January 22, 2018 [9 favorites]

People are abandoning agricultural land in Europe? Seems unexpected.
posted by GuyZero at 10:43 AM on January 22, 2018

> I haven't been paying attention: does this automatically trigger British mobilisation, or is that still caught up in Brexit talks?

I don't think wolves are allowed on the Eurostar, and I doubt they'd swim across the channel.
posted by farlukar at 10:51 AM on January 22, 2018

that is so rad
posted by Annika Cicada at 10:59 AM on January 22, 2018 [5 favorites]

> Annika Cicada:
"that is so rad"

Seconded.
posted by Samizdata at 11:02 AM on January 22, 2018

Luckily the way that Belgian houses are typically built out of attractive solid masonry or concrete so as to make them German-resistant will likely also help protect them from any huffing or puffing she might do.
posted by Blasdelb at 11:08 AM on January 22, 2018 [13 favorites]

Belgium has maintained an irrational prejudice against lycanthropes for far too long.
posted by GenjiandProust at 11:11 AM on January 22, 2018 [1 favorite]

Luckily the way that Belgian houses are typically built out of attractive solid masonry or concrete so as to make them German-resistant will likely also help protect them from any huffing or puffing she might do.
OMG, I laughed till I cried and my dog left the room.
posted by mumimor at 11:15 AM on January 22, 2018 [4 favorites]

> Blasdelb:
"Luckily the way that Belgian houses are typically built out of attractive solid masonry or concrete so as to make them German-resistant will likely also help protect them from any huffing or puffing she might do."

You know, I keep thinking Metafilter is a safe space, then I see this lupusist propaganda... :sigh:
posted by Samizdata at 11:18 AM on January 22, 2018 [3 favorites]

I don't think wolves are allowed on the Eurostar, and I doubt they'd swim across the channel.

i hope they creep through the chunnel and bite tories on the ass
posted by poffin boffin at 11:20 AM on January 22, 2018 [6 favorites]

A wolf was roaming in the general area near my house during Christmas. We didn't see it but it was the big family joke every time the dog barked, or someone went out to smoke. I think it is so great that the big predators are returning, and yes, there is plenty space for them in national parks and forests. They do take a lamb now and then, but IMO it's worth it. There's a huge overpopulation of deer, leading to new tick-borne diseases spreading like never before, and deer damage greens and fruits. (I love meeting deer in the morning, and hate when they eat all my flowers and vegs).

I doubt they'd swim across the channel.
They are quite good swimmers, even in rough water. So who knows…
posted by mumimor at 11:23 AM on January 22, 2018 [3 favorites]

People are abandoning agricultural land in Europe? Seems unexpected.

I checked to be sure, and indeed, Belgian inheritance laws are similar to French, namely forced heirship. You can't disinherit family here. This leads to situations where, rather than divvy up a property (if possible - it's not always) or buy out others, it gets abandoned. Usually the "let's fight over it and never come to a resolution" quasi-abandonment. Especially common with agrictultural properties.

There are also boats between France and England :)
posted by fraula at 11:24 AM on January 22, 2018 [3 favorites]

Agricultural areas are being abandoned by people so they are re-wilding again, leaving lots of space for carnivores. The countryside is being abandoned by young people who are moving to the cities.

That sounds like fodder for a great sci-fi movie. High tech cities, brightly-lit islands surrounded by a vast expanse of dark overgrown green unknown, populated with beasts...
posted by caution live frogs at 11:32 AM on January 22, 2018 [10 favorites]

Where wolf?
posted by The Underpants Monster at 11:34 AM on January 22, 2018 [2 favorites]

There!
posted by zamboni at 11:36 AM on January 22, 2018 [2 favorites]

Another reason agricultural areas are being abandoned is that they weren't sustainable in the first place. During the late 19th century and early 20th, a lot of swamp and marsh areas were drained, and while they were bountiful the first years, then they had to be heavily fertilized, and in recent years a combination of waters rising, regulations on fertilizers and also very small profit margins on farming this type of land has led to rewilding in many areas, often supported by the EU.
posted by mumimor at 11:38 AM on January 22, 2018 [7 favorites]

So if she's the only wolf in the area, will other wolves follow her for mating reasons? Or is she going to have to go back and find a mate somewhere? Maybe I'm having a particularly moody day, but this reminds me of the 52 Hertz Whale. Poor whale. Poor wolf. *sniff*
posted by headspace at 11:45 AM on January 22, 2018 [2 favorites]

So if she's the only wolf in the area, will other wolves follow her for mating reasons? Or is she going to have to go back and find a mate somewhere?
It seems they all wander around covering huge distances looking for each other while also looking for nice places to live. It's very romantic.
posted by mumimor at 11:52 AM on January 22, 2018 [12 favorites]

Assuming she settles, it's likely another long-distance wolf roamer will find her, they seem to be pretty good at that. OR-7 was a famous wolf traveler who went deep into California before returning and finding a mate in Oregon, and one of their subsequent cubs went all the way south to Mount Lassen and found a mate there, who had also wandered down from a different Oregon pack.
posted by tavella at 12:08 PM on January 22, 2018 [4 favorites]

So if she's the only wolf in the area, will other wolves follow her for mating reasons? Or is she going to have to go back and find a mate somewhere?

All the cool young wolves are on Howlr these days, but that's mostly for hookups, not serious pack-forming (assuming that she's looking for that; I don't want to assume).
posted by GenjiandProust at 12:15 PM on January 22, 2018 [20 favorites]

Can you swipe right without opposable thumbs?
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 12:46 PM on January 22, 2018

They use their noses
posted by mumimor at 12:54 PM on January 22, 2018 [7 favorites]

Poor pupper. Neat story, though!
posted by brundlefly at 12:55 PM on January 22, 2018

What a cool story. I hope she stays safe!
posted by mixedmetaphors at 1:41 PM on January 22, 2018 [2 favorites]

Intellectually I know better, but my first reaction is always surprise that there is so much open space in Europe. The image I have is entirely of big cities and small towns, but there is actually plenty of green space in between.

Around here, wolves returning brings out really intense reactions (including both illegal killings and state-sanctioned cullings). I hope the outcomes for this wolf are happy and successful.
posted by Dip Flash at 5:49 PM on January 22, 2018

Wake up, sheep.
posted by Segundus at 8:32 PM on January 22, 2018 [3 favorites]

alright how many of you went through a wolf phase as a kid (vs a horse phase, a dragon phase, a unicorn phase, or a dolphin phase)
posted by Hermione Granger at 7:09 AM on January 23, 2018

It's not a phase, Mom, it's who I am.
posted by radwolf76 at 7:50 AM on January 23, 2018 [8 favorites]

The wolves will come again.
posted by asteria at 2:39 PM on January 24, 2018

Harmless or vicious hunter? The uneasy return of Europe's wolves
posted by mumimor at 9:05 AM on January 26, 2018