Denmark has issued advice for tourists in the Jutland peninsula to use 'maximum resistance' if attacked by wolves, after the animals were reintroduced following a 200-year absence.
Flyers distributed in tourist areas
The municipality of Varde and Visit Vesterhavet have distributed flyers with guidance at holiday homes, campsites and tourist offices in Danish, English and German. The flyers advise people to hold eye contact with wolves, clap and wave their hands, and not to turn their backs on an approaching wolf.
While wolf attacks are rare, young wolves have been observed approaching people in the popular tourist destination Oksbøl. The flyers urge people to 'stare directly at it' to 'show dominance' and to 'offer maximum resistance: hit and kick and use any blunt weapon'. Children under 10 should be accompanied by an adult in the Oksbøl area.
Expert comments on wolf behaviour
Wolf expert Peter Sunde, a wildlife ecology professor at Aarhus University, said: 'During the winter and spring of 2026, at least two young wolves were observed approaching humans and exhibiting markedly reduced flight distances in the area around Oksbøl that is a tourist hotspot. One of these wolves is still alive.'
He added: 'To prevent similar behaviour from developing in future generations of young wolves, it is important that people who live in or visit wolf habitats – including tourists – understand that they should neither approach wolves nor leave food that may attract them.'
Campaign aimed at tourists
Varde's second deputy mayor, Sandie Eis Ravn, said the campaign was aimed at informing tourists due to requests from local businesses. 'If you are visiting somewhere and you know there is a wolf in the nearby forest, to make sure you have the right code of conduct when you meet this creature,' she said.
