New Wolf Territory Confirmed in Germany's Rureifel Region

A wolf from a Belgian pack has been declared territorial in North Rhine-Westphalia, marking the establishment of a new wolf area near Aachen.

The Rureifel region, spanning parts of Aachen and Düren in North Rhine-Westphalia, has been officially designated as a wolf territory by state authorities.
A female wolf, identified as GW4074f, has been genetically confirmed as residing in the area for at least six months, meeting the criteria for territorial status.
The wolf originates from the Hohes Venn pack in Belgium and was likely born in 2023; genetic evidence suggests a male wolf from a neighboring Belgian pack may also be present.
Incidents involving the wolf include attacks on wildlife and livestock, with genetic traces found on several occasions between March and November 2024.
The designation enables state funding for protective measures such as fencing, with discussions ongoing about expanding these subsidies statewide to better protect livestock.