A fatal collision occurred between a wolf and a vehicle on the N76 highway between the Flemish villages of Opglabbeek and Meeuwen in the province of Limburg in Flanders on Monday evening.
Employees of a nearby animal shelter were called to collect the remains of the wolf. The animal is believed to be a young male, but other characteristics are as of yet unknown.
Just a few days prior, on 3 February, a wolf was killed on the borders of the municipalities of Eksel and Overpelt by a separate vehicle. The animal’s corpse was recovered by workers of the Nature Aid Centre (Natuurhulpcentrum), an animal aid organisation based out of Oudsbergen.
In December, a seven-month-old wolf cub was killed under similar circumstances, an incident which deeply angered many Belgian animal conservationists. There are estimated to be just over 20 wolves living in Belgium.
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Wolves were set to go extinct in Belgium by 2018, but conservation efforts have led to a significant growth in the number of animals.
The first wolf in 100 years made its way into Belgium five years ago but was unfortunately killed in 2019, most likely by hunters. In Belgium, poachers face up to five years in prison and a fine of €500,000 for killing the animals.
