TERVUREN – After centuries, the wolf is making a long-awaited return. For years, only the Wolvenweg served as a possible reminder of the apex predator’s former presence in Tervuren. Now, change is on the horizon.
“They’ve been here before. And they’ll show up again,” Jan Loos tells Tervuren+. But those are wandering wolves passing through Tervuren, he clarifies. “There’s no doubt about it.”
On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, Loos, founder of Welkom Wolf, will offer residents of Tervuren an in-depth look at the wolf’s resurgence across the Low Countries, Flanders, and—why not—even in Tervuren itself.
No need to be afraid. “They see us as formidable competitors, as fellow hunters. But also as the ones who wiped them out. So, they have a deep-rooted aversion to humans.”
However, wolves should not be cornered either. “If you trap a wolf in your garden, it will bite arms and legs to escape. But wolves will never attack humans as prey.”
Volg of like Tervuren+ op sociale media
“So, you should never fear wolves. But for people with sheep, ponies, and goats, that’s a different story, of course,” Loos acknowledges.
The wolf’s return is not just an ecological milestone—it also holds historical significance for Tervuren. Is that symbolism reflected in the Wolvenweg? “The name might actually come from ‘knotwillige weg,’ a corruption of a dialect word for ‘pollard willow.’ It’s not certain that it refers to wolves,” Loos explains.
What is certain, however, is that the last documented wolf in the area was killed by eager villagers in the late 18th century, marking the species’ eradication from Tervuren.
While conservationists like Loos celebrate the wolf’s return, political tensions are brewing. Is Tervuren’s most famous former resident waging a battle against the species? That may be an oversimplification. But it’s undeniable that Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, suffered a personal loss when her beloved pony, Dolly, was killed by a wolf identified as GW950m on her estate in Germany.
Since then, she has advocated for downgrading the wolf’s protected status in the EU. While she frames the policy shift as a response to broader concerns over livestock protection, critics question whether personal motives are at play, reigniting fierce debate over the predator’s future in Europe.
Loos directly criticizes von der Leyen for undermining the wolf’s protected status. “Tervuren should certainly not make her an honorary citizen,” he says.
Loos also calls for an end to the culling of wild boar in Tervuren. “There’s no food. The moment some wild boar appear, they are immediately shot,” he explains. “If no wild prey is available, wolves will turn to livestock. For them, it’s just food. It may be less tasty, but it’s much easier to catch.”
📅 When? Wednesday, March 12, 2025 | 8:30 PM – 11:00 PM
📍 Where? AC De Zevenster, Zaal De Berk, Markt 7a, Tervuren
🎤 Who? Natuurpunt Druivenstreek & Jan Loos
🔗 More info & tickets: www.natuurpunt.be/agenda/lezing-in-het-spoor-van-de-wolf-21016
🌿 Bonus: Register for the free volunteer intro session & get automatic access to the lecture!
Author: Dafydd ab Iago. © Article and photos are licensed © 2024 for Tervuren+ under the Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license.
