Wolf Attacks Mother Walking with Child in Sweden

Sweden recently overturned a 45 year ban on wolf hunting as wolf populations have grown to more than 200 animals, and wolves impinge more frequently on areas occupied by humans. The clash between man and nature has claimed another victim, as two wolves converged on the path of a mother out walking with her child in Norrtälje, north of Stockholm. The wolves appeared suddenly on the path in front of the young mother, who was pushing a baby carriage and accompanied by the family dog. One wolf attacked the pet, seizing it by the neck and turning to carry its prey off to the woods. Initial reports indicated that the second wolf turned its attention to the baby carriage, but later reports confirming the wolf attack indicate that the wolves did not threaten the baby. The later reports say the woman began screaming and flailing her arms, which wolf experts praise as the right course of action. The Swedish government is currently defending the population-culling wolf hunt, which has proceeded for two years now, against legal action by the EU. Sweden recently filed a response to the EU notice regarding wolf hunting, claiming that the wolf hunt is essential to recovery of wolf populations, claiming "Genetically strengthening the wolf population requires an acceptance that cannot be achieved without licensed hunting."...more