Wolf presumed dead after biting woman in German mall

A wolf attack on a woman in a Hamburg shopping mall has led German authorities to believe the animal is likely dead, marking a significant and concerning event as wolves have only recently returned to Germany after a 30-year absence. The incident, the first of its kind since the species' reintroduction, has raised questions about human-wildlife coexistence.

The wolf, initially captured and released into the wild with a tracking device, vanished from its known territory. Despite extensive searches based on its last known location, experts have found no trace of the animal. This disappearance has fueled speculation, with local media suggesting the wolf may have been shot.

The attack occurred when a 65-year-old woman attempted to free the wolf after it bumped into a shop window. She sustained minor injuries to her face and mouth. Experts suggested the wolf was a young animal, possibly separated from its pack and under stress, which might explain its unusual behavior in an urban environment.

Wolves had largely disappeared from Germany by the mid-19th century but have made a comeback since the 1990s, with 219 packs now identified across the country. This resurgence, while celebrated by conservationists, presents ongoing challenges for managing wildlife in increasingly populated areas.

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