The discovery has something to amaze the general public. Almost a century after having completely disappeared from this department, a wolf was formally authenticated in Loire-Atlantique, reports the prefecture on Thursday. A dead canine belonging to the gray wolf species Canis lupus lupus was indeed discovered on October 15 at
Saint-Brévin-les-pins, along the Route Bleue (RD213), less than a kilometer from the beach.
The lifeless body, recovered by the technical services of the departmental council, was initially considered to be a dog. But, intrigued by his looks, an employee sent photos to the Breton mammalogical group, who forwarded them to the regional manager of the Loup network of
the French Biodiversity Office (OFB). The conclusions are clear: the animal is indeed a gray wolf. It was sent to the OFB for further analyzes in order to determine, in particular, “the origin of the individual and the causes of his death”.
Proven presence in Vendée
According to specialists, the discovery of a wolf in this department of northwestern France is not so surprising because the presence of a wolf of the same species has already been proven in Vendée last spring. Was it the same individual? Be that as it may, expert appraisals have already been carried out in the Pays-de-la-Loire region in the event of attacks on livestock animals.
Other authenticated wolf observations have already taken place a little further south, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, in the departments of Vienne, Charente-Maritime and Charente.
The first reappearance of a wolf in France dates back to 1992 in the southern Alps. The canine was then identified in regions as far away as the Pyrenees, Lorraine, Burgundy, or the Somme. The animal is known for its great dispersal capacity, especially in the territory search phase, indicates the State.