Escaped wolves spark search and safety measures in Šumava National Park
Authorities in Šumava National Park have launched an intensive search for several wolves believed to have escaped from their large natural enclosure at the Srní Visitor Centre. The centre has been temporarily closed and the residents of nearby villages have been warned to exercise caution until the crisis is resolved.
Wolves returned to the Šumava mountains after more than 140 years at the start of the millennium. Although between 30 to 40 of them now inhabit the region, with packs in 6 different locations, they are shy of humans and people rarely come into contact with them.
So the sighting of a wolf, who was filmed running close to a building near the village of Hartmanice in early August, caused some unease among the locals.
On Tuesday, the management of the Šumava National Park admitted that the wolf who was sighted may be an escapee from the pack living on the grounds of the Srní Visitor Centre.
The enclosure is home to a 13-member wolf pack, but recent inspections revealed fewer animals than expected – first they counted ten, then only nine. Park managers now consider it likely that up to four wolves may have left the fenced area and are roaming freely.
Although the enclosure has over three hectares and there are many potential hiding places where the missing wolves could have concealed themselves, the authorities are taking the matter seriously and a crisis team has been established to deal with the emergency. Jan Dvořák is the park's spokesperson:
“We want to make sure that everyone knows what they are doing and everyone has clearly defined tasks so that any escaped wolves may be recovered as soon and as effectively as possible. Our employees are out in the field throughout the national park monitoring the situation looking out for wolves that appear to be less shy than is normal.”
The search effort involves all of the park’s field staff – rangers, conservation officers, and forestry workers – as well as technical measures. Ten camera traps have been installed in the surrounding area, a walk-through capture cage is ready, and a zoologist with a tranquillizer rifle is on standby.
On close inspection, a damaged section of fencing was found at one end of the enclosure where an animal had dug underneath, but the hole was reportedly too small for an adult wolf to pass through. Park officials are investigating other possible escape routes, including a soil shift in the boulder field inside the enclosure.
Since last weekend, one wolf has been regularly spotted near the enclosure via camera traps. But it is unclear whether this animal is one of the potential escapees. All wolves in the enclosure are microchipped, so any captured individuals can be identified.
So far, none of the monitored wolves have displayed behaviour dangerous to humans. Even so, the park advises that if people encounter a wolf, they should not approach it. Instead, they should make their presence known and allow the animal to leave. If the wolf continues to approach, loud calls and broad gestures may help drive it away. Dog owners are urged to keep pets leashed.
The incident has made some residents nervous about entering the local forests at the height of the mushroom-picking season. Srní mayor Marcela Drexlerová said wolves have long been part of local life, but she acknowledged that the current situation has stirred unease. “If more wolves have escaped, as people are saying, park employees primarily need peace and quiet to get them back into the enclosure,” she said, warning that tourists sometimes ignore safety instructions and may complicate the operation.
Park officials have closed the Srní Visitor Centre until Sunday, August 17, to reduce disturbances. It may reopen earlier if the escaped wolves are captured –or accounted for on their home ground.
