Zuiderkempen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A young wolf was spotted in Zuiderkempen, Belgium moving through Tongerlo, Geel-Zammel, Oosterlo, Eindhout, and Laakdal near the E313 highway and Albert Canal. Hugh Loos from Welcome Wolf warns the wolf is in danger due to traffic and steep canal walls. It may be 10 or 22 months old, seeking territory and a mate.
A young wolf has been spotted in the Zuiderkempen, Belgium. The wolf was first seen in Tongerlo, Westerlo Yesterday February 28, 2025. It was then seen near Geel-Zammel. The wolf disappeared for a while but then appeared again at dusk. It was filmed in Oosterlo, Eindhout, and near the E313 highway. Loos mentioned that the highway is dangerous for wildlife, especially young wolves.
“Videos on social media and the red-hot telephone of the Welcome Wolf reporting center leave no doubt: there is a wandering wolf in the Southern Kempen,”
Says Loos.
Will the Laakdal young wolf survive its journey?
The wolf was last seen at 22:05 in Laakdal, near the Albert Canal. Experts don’t know where the wolf will go next, but they are watching it. More wolves are being seen in Flanders. According to officials, this is good because of conservation efforts and protected areas.
They mentioned that it also brings challenges because wolves sometimes go near roads, houses, and farms. Experts ask people to report sightings but stay safe. They said wolves are usually shy and avoid people.
The wolf is stuck in an industrial area near the Albert Canal and the E313 highway. Officials mentioned that this area is busy and doesn’t have many safe places for the wolf to go. The canal is a big problem for the wolf. It has steep concrete walls that are hard to climb.
In January 2022, a wolf drowned in the canal because it couldn’t find a way out. Officials mentioned that the only safe way for the wolf to cross the canal is to use locks or bridges, but there aren’t many and people are usually around them. They said the wolf needs to find a way to escape this dangerous area without getting injured.
According to officials, young wolves leave their families to find their place to live. This wolf is about 10 months old or 22 months old. All over Europe, young wolves are travelling alone to find a good place to live.
This wolf wants to find a mate and start its own family. They mentioned that but it’s not sure if it will survive the dangers on its journey. The next few days and weeks will be important for this wolf because it’s trying to survive in an area where humans are building things and doing things.
“In the long term, the young wolf also hopes to attract a partner. Whether this young wanderer survives his dangerous journey will become clear in the coming days and weeks,”
Loos added.
