Wölfin Gloria disappeared? Enigmatic decline of the wolf pack in Schermbeck!

Wölfin Gloria disappeared? Enigmatic decline of the wolf pack in Schermbeck!

The wolf pack around the wolf "Gloria" in Schermbeck seems to be history. According to the NABU district associations Borken and Wesel and the Bottrop city association, there are serious signs of the extinction of this pack. On the weekend of March 29 and 30, 2025, the State Environment Agency North Rhine-Westphalia (LANUV) carried out an extensive search in the Schermbeck area to find possible traces of wolves. Despite the support of many helpers and a species detection dog, no evidence of wolf -specific activities could be provided, and NABU fears the complete disappearance of the pack, which is considered alarming, since large prey muffers play an important role in ecological balance.

Since November 2024, any evidence of the presence of wolves in the region has been lacking. The last known incidents included the crack of two mini goats and the sighting of an injured wolf. The injured wolf, who dragged himself on three legs nearby on November 21, raises questions: could these injuries be caused by illegal activities, such as a false shot or a fishing trap?

The role of the NABU and the legal framework

Martin Frenk from Nabu Borken expressed strong concern in this regard and did not potentially exclude illegal actions to eliminate the pack. He pointed out that the wolf activities have decreased abruptly since the injured animal was seen. Despite the present concern, the LanuV cannot make a definitive statement on the extinction of the pack; The press spokeswoman Birgit Kaiser de Garcia described this assumption as speculation and emphasized that tungsters can sometimes disappear temporarily.

The NABU working group has already submitted the matter to the Attorney General in Hamm. However, both the Dortmund public prosecutor and Lanuv saw no reason for an investigation. In addition, the LANUV calls on the population to provide information that could contribute to clarifying the situation.

herd protection in a wolf -rich region

Despite the tense situation, NABU representatives continue to warn pasture holders in Schermbeck to keep their wolf-repellent fences in good condition and, if necessary, retrofit. The region is considered potentially suitable for the settlement of wolves. Historically, the wolf has spread greatly since its return to Germany, and around 209 wolf packs, 46 wolf pairs and 19 territorial individual animals are currently living in the country. This increase has led to an increase in wolf attacks, which is why herd protection measures are essential for pet owners.

The wolf is particularly protected according to German law, which means that catch or killing protected animals is generally prohibited. Nevertheless, an adaptation of the Federal Nature Conservation Act has made it possible for "problematic" wolves to be relieved since March 2020 if there are serious economic damage. This shows that dealing with the wolf question in agriculture remains challenging for both the state and the animal owners. The costs for effective herd protection measures are considerable and the federal government promotes such measures within the framework of specific programs.

The developments related to Glorias Rudel in Schermbeck are an urgent example of the complex challenges that the protection and management of wolf stocks in Germany bring.