Wolf that bit woman in German mall likely dead, authorities say

Authorities in Hamburg, Germany, believe a wolf that bit a woman in a shopping mall in late March is likely dead. The incident marked the first wolf attack in Germany since the species began returning to the country approximately 30 years ago.

The environmental authority for the city confirmed that based on available evidence, the animal's death is probable. The wolf had bitten a 65-year-old woman on the mouth and cheek while she was trying to free the animal after it had collided with a shop window. The injuries were not serious.

After its capture following the incident, the wolf was released back into the wild but fitted with a transmitter for tracking. However, the signal from the collar abruptly stopped in late May. Officials consider a malfunction or simple loss of the collar unlikely. Specialists searched a wide area but found no trace of the animal.

There is speculation that the predator may have been shot. The wolf, believed to be a young animal separated from its pack and under significant stress, had fled Hamburg after its release and traveled over 150 kilometers to a rural area. The incident highlights ongoing challenges in managing the reintroduced wolf population in Germany, where official counts indicate 219 wolf packs as of last year. A recent government proposal to allow regular wolf hunting aims to manage populations in densely populated areas.