# Wolf Presence near a Temporary Sheep Pasture in Flanders: A Descriptive Camera-Trap Study

## TL;DR

Wolves were observed near a protected sheep pasture in Flanders, but no predation or fence crossings occurred, offering insights into potential coexistence strategies.

## Contribution

This study provides descriptive, site-specific documentation of wolf behavior near protected livestock in a densely populated European landscape.

## Key findings

- Wolves were detected near the pasture but mostly when sheep and dogs were absent.
- No fence crossings or predation events were observed during the 16-day monitoring period.
- Wolves were also recorded during times of human and vehicle activity, indicating continued use of the area.

## Abstract

The wolf (Canis lupus) has reappeared in Belgium after an absence of over a century, prompting concerns regarding interactions with both livestock and humans in a region encompassing a variety of agricultural, natural, and urban areas, such as Flanders. This study examined the possible interaction of wolves, sheep and livestock guardian dogs near a protected temporary pasture. Using motion-activated cameras over a period of sixteen days, we recorded wolves visiting the area several times, sometimes alone and sometimes in small groups of up to three animals. Most wolf detections occurred when sheep and dogs were absent. No fence crossings or predation events involving wolves were observed during the monitoring period. Interestingly, wolves were also observed during times of human and vehicle activity, indicating continued use of the area despite predictable human presence. Our observations highlight both the challenges and opportunities of coexistence. Rather than evaluating the effectiveness of protection measures, this study provides descriptive, site-specific documentation of wolf activity near a protected pasture in a densely populated landscape. These observations may serve as baseline information for future comparative and experimental research on wolf–livestock coexistence.

Wolves (Canis lupus) have recolonized Belgium after more than a century of absence, raising concerns about interactions with livestock in densely populated regions such as Flanders. Empirical field-based documentation of wolf behavior near protected livestock in such landscapes remains limited. This study presents a short-term, descriptive camera-trap case study documenting wolf presence near a temporary sheep pasture protected by electric fencing and livestock guardian dogs (LGDs). Nineteen camera traps monitored the pasture perimeter within a military training area in northeastern Flanders over a 16-day period in September 2023. Sheep were present for 11 days and accompanied by six LGDs. Twenty-three wolf images were recorded, corresponding to eight distinct detection events. Wolves were detected shortly after fence installation and following sheep removal. Occasional close approaches and fence inspection behavior were observed, but no fence crossings or predation events occurred. Most wolf detections occurred when sheep and LGDs were absent, although wolves were also recorded near periods of human activity. Given the observational design, causal inference is not possible. The study provides baseline documentation of wolf–livestock–LGD interactions in a densely populated European landscape.