Wolves Moving Into Eastern Europe - Sightings Near Berlin, Hamburg, Throughout Poland

[hatrack]

Hamburg, Aug 26 : The mournful howling of wolves is echoing these days through the forested woodlands of eastern Germany for the first time in centuries, according to conservationists, who say that wolves are spreading into Western Europe now that all their natural enemies have disappeared. The cunning canine is even outsmarting its most dangerous mortal enemy - man. Wolves are encroaching on urbanized areas, even being spotted on the outskirts of large cities like Berlin.

Earlier this year, reports said that red foxes are also on the increase. Ironically, the increase in foxes has also benefited hungry wolves, which feed on foxes and their pups. Experts say the disappearance of lynxes and brown bears in the 20th century has helped to reverse the fall in the fox population. Without those natural enemies, foxes have been able to establish themselves as the dominant carnivore in many areas of Central Europe. And with the foxes on the march across Western Europe, wolves are following literally in their footprints. In addition, the widespread eradication of rabies has also been a boon to wild canine families, since rabies has always been the primary biological enemy of these creatures.

Wolves have been sighted in recent weeks in a forest near the town of Ludwigslust, located midway between Berlin and Hamburg, Germany's two largest cities. Wolves are already fairly frequently spotted east of Berlin and in Poland. But Hamburg, a seaport on the North Sea at the base of the Danish peninsula, has not seen any wolves for centuries.

"It is only a matter of time before wolves spread all across northern Germany in their move westward," says Professor Josef Reichholf of the University of Munich.

EDIT

http://www.newkerala.com/topstory-fullnews-15065.html

[madrchsod]

1. one or more moved into chicago illinois this year.....