Wolves Prowl European Holiday Spots, Attacking Pets, Livestock, and Children

As of August 1st, 2025, a concerning trend has emerged across Europe – wolves are prowling popular holiday hotspots and posing a growing threat to both humans and animals. Recent attacks, including the shocking incident where a six-year-old boy was dragged into the woods by a wolf in the Netherlands, have sparked outrage and fear among local communities.

The attack in the Dutch province of Utrecht occurred just last month, when the young boy was out walking with his mother and younger brother. What initially appeared to be a friendly dog quickly turned into a terrifying encounter, as the wild wolf pounced on the child and pulled him into the nearby woods. Passers-by rushed to the boy's aid, eventually managing to beat the animal off and rescue the child, who suffered severe bite wounds and scratches.

This incident is not an isolated one. A rogue wolf named Bram, officially designated GW3237m, has been terrorizing the region and is now on a court-ordered death sentence for previous attacks on people and pets. Just weeks ago, Bram bit a female hiker twice on the leg at the same nature reserve where the young boy was attacked.

The growing wolf populations across Europe are a major concern, with the number of attacks on livestock and other animals reaching an all-time high. In the first three months of 2025, a staggering 368 such incidents were recorded in the Netherlands alone, compared to 266 the previous year. Experts attribute this rise to the increasing contact between humans and the protected predators, whose numbers continue to grow due to EU conservation laws.

While the EU has recently modified its policies to grant member states more flexibility in managing the wolf populations, the threat to public safety remains a pressing issue. As wolves continue to prowl the region's holiday hotspots, local authorities and residents must remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of both people and animals.