Wolf bites woman in face near Hamburg IKEA during first attack in decades

politico.eu • March 31, 2026 • world

Key Points:

A woman was attacked by a wolf in central Hamburg near an IKEA store, marking the first such incident in Germany since wolves were reintroduced in 1998.
The wolf appeared disoriented, biting the woman in the face as she tried to guide it away; she received medical treatment and was discharged from the hospital.
The wolf fled but was later captured near Lake Binnenalster, and authorities are investigating the case.
Germany's wolf population has rebounded significantly since reintroduction, with over 200 packs now recorded, reflecting a broader resurgence of wolves across Europe.
While wolf attacks on humans are rare, increased urban encounters have led to concerns, prompting some European countries to ease conservation rules despite EU court warnings to maintain protections.