New wolf named Ben Weyts in jibe at minister who “ignores his own legislation”

The new companion of Emma, a female wolf in the Noorderkempen, has been given the name Ben. Jan Loos of the group Welkom Wolf says it honors Flemish minister Ben Weyts, whom he accuses of ignoring his own legislation.

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As an honor to Minister Ben Weyts, who simply ignores his own legislation.

“We did not have to think long about the name,” Loos said. Weyts said last year that Flanders should no longer facilitate wolf reproduction, although wolves remain strictly protected under the law. Loos pointed to the irony of a wolf named Ben arriving in Flanders to reproduce.

The name also takes aim at minister Jo Brouns, who said around the same time that Flanders should set a maximum number of wolves and, if necessary, shoot the rest. Flanders currently has four or five wolves, Loos said. “By naming the wolf Ben, we can be sure Brouns will not shoot Ben. You do not shoot a colleague,” he joked.

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I do not know whether my namesake has much of a future in present-day Flanders.

Emma and Ben appear to be forming a pair. Loos said wolves mate only in February, so if both survive, cubs could arrive around April 20. He said a future female could be named Annick, after minister Annick De Ridder, whom he criticized for refusing to act after 21 wolves were hit by vehicles, 17 of them fatally.

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By naming the wolf Ben, we can be sure Brouns will not shoot Ben. You do not shoot a colleague.

Weyts expressed doubts about the wolf’s prospects in present-day Flanders. “I do fear that his presence here will come at the expense of many other animals that will fall prey to him,” he told VRT NWS. He added that people should consider whether a wolf’s life, whatever its name, is worth more than the lives of other animals.

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I do fear that his presence here will come at the expense of many other animals that will fall prey to him.