First sighted more than a year ago in the Limbourg province with the male wolf August, Naya was filmed at the start of the 2019 summer. Researchers were able to ascertain without any doubt that the female wolf had mated and would be giving birth to a litter of wolf pups.
However, that good news soon gave way to uncertainty and then on to a sad realisation. The wolf has not been sighted since and her litter should have been aged four months by now. The Belgian environmental agency Natuur & Bos (Nature and Forests) is certain that Naya and her pups have been killed.
The agency has investigated a number of different causes for her disappearance. After noting that August stopped bringing her food and they were no longer able to locate her, an anonymous source suggested she may have been poisoned. The agency then analysed wolf excrement but was unable to find any traces of poison.
Continuing other avenues, the agency consulted cameras installed in the area and undertook new analyses to attempt to detect potential illnesses. Again, results came back negative.
During a drone flight meant to locate Naya, which proved unsuccessful, the federal police discovered two hunters with loaded guns and who were prepared to fire in a zone which prohibits hunting. Both hunters had their licenses withdrawn.
With research not revealing any traces of the wolf, the agency believes that Naya and her pups are no longer alive and further, that ‘professionals’, namely poachers, are responsible for their disappearance. The poachers likely found her burrow and accessed it to kill her and the pups. The agency will continue its investigation and use all its resources to identify and arrest those who committed the crime.
The male wolf August remains present in the region and does not seem to be migrating to another area. Experts are in agreement that other wolves will join him, giving their growing presence in neighbouring countries. Breeders in the area will then have to increase preventative action to protect their herds.
Wild wolves of Wallonia: Wolf sighted and filmed just past Luxembourg border
