Meer (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – In Meer, a wolf attacked sheep Jane near Evy Rombouts’ home, just 40 meters away. The ewe was euthanised after severe injuries. A temporary electrified fence was installed.
As VRT News reported, on Monday morning, Sep 15, 2025, in Meer, a village in the province of Antwerp, Belgium, a sheep was found after a violent attack by a wolf. The animal, called Jane, belonged to resident Evy Rombouts.
She went to the pasture and saw the ewe lying injured. The skin on her lower back was gone. She also had bite marks on her neck and stomach. The rest of the flock had run into the pen. Jane was still alive. The veterinarian came soon after and checked the wounds. He decided the injuries could not be treated.
“While we were walking the dog around our sheep pasture, my husband suddenly saw pieces of hide lying on the ground,”
Evy said, deeply moved.
What does the wolf attack in Meer mean for livestock safety?
In Meer, a wolf killed a sheep only 40 meters from a family home.
“That wolf attacked our sheep 40 meters from our house, which is very close. I haven’t felt safe in my own garden since then,”
She said. The Wolf Fencing Team came to the site after the incident.
A temporary fence was set up around the pasture. The fence is tall and electrified to keep the animals safe. Rombouts advised other owners to act with care.
“Be sure to keep the animals indoors at night and ensure they’re in a safe environment during the day as well,”
She warned.
“We know the wolf is roaming around here, but we never expected it to attack our sheep. I think it’s important that people are alert and don’t think it can’t happen to them. The wolf comes in places and at times you least expect it,”
Evy said.
The case has raised questions about wolves living close to villages. Residents asked if people could also be in danger. Experts have ruled this out. Koen Van Muylem, from the Institute for Nature and Forest Research, said wolves avoid people and are not a threat to humans. Reports confirm that attacks on humans in Western Europe are extremely rare.
Authorities explain that livestock is the main target. Sheep and other farm animals remain vulnerable in open fields. Farmers are advised to use electric fencing and secure pens. Monitoring of wolf activity in Flanders continues as new livestock incidents are reported.
“We understand the concern, but in recent history, not a single wolf attack on humans has been reported. Not even in Germany, where 2,000 wolves now live.”
Koen Van Muylem said.
Wolves returned to Belgium in 2018 after more than 100 years. The first confirmed sightings were in Limburg that year. Since then, livestock attacks have been reported in several provinces, including Antwerp, Limburg, and Flemish Brabant.
In 2020, official records showed dozens of sheep killed or injured in confirmed wolf attacks. A compensation scheme was set up for farmers to cover their losses. In 2021, the Flemish government launched the Wolf Fencing Team to protect herds with electric barriers. Reports of wolf attacks have continued to rise in the years that followed. By 2024, wolves were firmly established in Flanders.
