Wolf in the forest: Riders in Greifenstein experience gripping chase!

Wolf in the forest: Riders in Greifenstein experience gripping chase!

On December 29, 2024, two riders, Anika Haas and Marion Mutz, experienced a scary encounter with a wolf in the forest near Greifenstein in the Lahn-Dill district. During their ride with horses and two dogs, they noticed the wolf, which followed them over a period of more than 20 minutes. A video documents how the riders shouted loudly to scare away the animal. Despite her efforts, the wolf persisted at her side, which led to great fear among the two women. The Hessian wolf center confirmed the viewing of the animal after analyzing the video.

Greifenstein has been one of the Hessian wolf territories since the monitoring year 2022/23. In the monitoring year 2023/24, a total of five wolf territories in Hesse were identified. In addition to Greifenstein, these also include Butzbach with a wolf couple, Ludwigsau, Rüdesheim with a pack and Spangenberg, where an individual animal was also detected.

wolves in Hesse and their return

The return of the wolves in Germany is a remarkable phenomenon: Wolves were considered extinct around 150 years ago, but returned thanks to extensive protective measures in the 1990s. The first resident wolf in Hesse was detected in the Reinhardswald in 2008. Since 2019, Hessen has been an increase in wolf population. Five wolves are currently settled in the region.

The Hessian Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Agriculture and Consumer Protection has developed a new wolf management plan in cooperation with the Hessian State Office for Nature Conservation, Environment and Geology (HLNUG). The focus of this plan focuses on the newly founded Wolfszentrum Hessen, which is responsible for wolf monitoring and coordination of the wolf shotline. It acts as a central contact for questions about wolf and ensures the transfer of knowledge within the state administration and with affected interest associations.

recommendations in dealing with wolves

After the terrifying encounter, the riders state that they have the fear of wolves. Anika Haas has avoided the forest since then, while Marion Mutz takes pepper spray for safety. However, experts recommend that they stay calm in such situations, to make noise and slowly withdraw. Moritz Frey von Hessenforst said that wolves often observe the situation and do not perceive people on horses as a threat.

The Hessian wolf center also gives the golf in Greifenstein, since so far no behavioral incidents are known from this area. As part of the wolf monitoring in Germany, the wolf territories are recorded annually by the federal states. 48 wolf territories are already known for the monitoring year 2024/25, including 42 packs and two couples.

The wolf has recently fallen under hunting law in Hesse, but for the time being, this has no concrete effects on the protection of the animal. The challenges associated with the return of the wolves are diverse, but the preservation of this kind remains a central concern of nature conservation policy.