Wolf pack spotted on Arkhangelsk outskirts

Residents of Arkhangelsk reported spotting a pack of wolves on the city«s outskirts. A photo of the predators was published online on February 4.

“By the river from LDK No. 4 to Bakaritsa port, wolves are running around again. We see them here every winter. They are definitely not dogs — very large, black. Keep your pets safe,” said an anonymous author in one of the city«s Telegram channels.

The Arkhangelsk Regional Police Department said it had received no reports of encounters with wild animals.

“If you look at the lowered tails, then most likely they really are wolves. But the photo is of poor quality. To be sure, you need to see the coloring,” said a hunter from Arkhangelsk Region.

Experienced game biologist Irina Belyaeva explained to a 29.RU correspondent that young wolves may have come to the city in search of food.

“It’s hard to tell from the photo whether they are wolves or dogs — it’s easy to be mistaken. Now, adult wolves should be in rut, and during that time they try to go further away where no one disturbs them. Young wolves stay where they can find food. Also, eyewitnesses say they were black, but wolves should be gray.”

Belyaeva advised residents of the outskirts to be cautious when encountering predators.

“It’s hard to give simple instructions for encountering a wolf these days, because the behavior of these animals has become different and situations vary. In general, it’s better to avoid encounters, and if you meet one, try to calmly walk away and never provoke the animal.”

Earlier, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Complex (LPK) of Arkhangelsk Region told 29.RU that wild animals are facing hard times — the snow depth is increasing, hindering movement through the forest and hunting, so wolves are concentrating near populated areas. A difficult time has come for wild animals.

“If dangerous wild animals appear in a populated area, as well as in case of attacks on domestic animals, citizens have the right to contact the police. Information about predators entering settlements can be reported to the unified duty-dispatch service at 112,” the ministry added.

The editorial board will send a request to the Arkhangelsk city administration to find out what measures are being taken to protect residents from wild animals.

Residents of Arkhangelsk Region often encounter wild animals that have come out of the forest into settlements. For example, a lynx was spotted in Brevennik, and wolves and a fox in Brin-Navolok.

In January, predators approached residents of several villages and hunted dogs and cats.

Dangerous predators are not only seen in winter. In the SNT Tsementnik in Plesetsk District, near the village of Savinsky, a wolf was seen near homes for several summer months. The animal grabbed pets in front of people. Hunters were issued permits to shoot it, but they could not find the predator. Locals contacted the police, and deputies became involved, but the problem remained unsolved due to legislation. More: wolf seen near homes, deputies involved, problem unsolved.