Wolf Decimates 26 Sheep in Belgian Commune of Leglise

A wolf has killed or fatally wounded all 26 sheep belonging to a family farm in Louftémont, Léglise commune, in the Luxembourg province of Wallonia, in what local farmers are calling a “true carnage.” The attack, which occurred on the night of 2-3 July 2026, marks the first confirmed assault on domestic livestock by the wolf pair that has been established in the nearby Anlier Forest since August 2025, according to RTBF.

The Attack

The Damien family discovered the devastation on Friday morning across two separate pastures approximately 300 metres apart. Twenty ewes and a Suffolk breeding male were found dead, while five additional ewes were so severely injured that a veterinarian had to euthanise them on site. The entire flock was lost.

“It’s a true carnage. There are guts and stomachs everywhere,” Philippe Damien told L’Avenir. “The predator wasn’t only there to feed, it also killed everything in its path. I’m disgusted. These are thousands of hours of work going up in smoke. I’ve lost an entire genetic line developed over more than ten years.”

Clément Damien, another family member, expressed bewilderment at the scale of the attack. “In the first pasture, we were already talking about the madness of one or several wolves. But how to explain multiple attacks on two different fields the same night?” he asked, as reported by RTBF.

The Department of Nature and Forests (DNF) collected DNA samples from the scene. Officials confirmed that all signs — eviscerated stomachs and neck bites — are typical of a wolf attack. The pasture was located only 400 metres from the nearest houses.

Expert Assessment

Vinciane Schockert, a zoologist with DEMNA (the Department for the Study of the Natural and Agricultural Environment), told TV Lux that until now, the wolf pair had fed exclusively on wild animals. She noted that while there is no proof yet of juvenile individuals, the attack could indicate that the pair is now hunting opportunistically to provide for pups expected this spring.

Schockert also confirmed that the fencing around the pasture was insufficient to stop a wolf attack. She encouraged farmers to use Walloon Region subsidies to install wolf-proof electric fencing.

Mayor’s Concerns

The mayor of Léglise visited the scene and witnessed the euthanasia alongside other farmers who had come to show solidarity. His primary concern extends beyond livestock: 19 scout camps are expected in the commune this summer.

“Public authorities will have to provide convincing and realistic answers quickly,” the mayor told RTBF. “Starting Monday, we will map each camp’s location relative to the Anlier Forest and consult with specialists. We will see if there is a need to take additional measures or to plan relocations. I just want to be guaranteed that there is no danger.”

Broader Context

This attack reignites the debate about wolf presence in rural Belgium. The wolf is a strictly protected species under the EU Habitats Directive and Belgian Nature Conservation Law, with penalties for killing one reaching up to €1 million and imprisonment.

The Walloon Region adopted its first Wolf Plan in June 2020, focusing on scientific monitoring, species protection, farmer support through prevention and compensation, and public awareness. A second Wolf Plan is currently in development as wolf presence expands across Wallonia, with provincial authorities in Luxembourg expressing concerns about the capacity of the DNF to manage the growing challenges.

According to the official Walloon biodiversity portal, the region provides subsidies for protective fencing and compensation for verified wolf attacks. The Damien family is expected to be eligible for compensation once DNA analysis confirms wolf involvement.

What’s Next

DNA analysis will determine whether the attack was carried out by one or both members of the Anlier Forest wolf pair, and whether pups are present — a factor that could lead to more frequent attacks as the adults hunt to feed their young. The commune of Léglise will assess the safety of its scout camp locations this week, while farmers across the region are being urged to reinforce their protections ahead of what may be an escalating period of wolf-livestock conflict.

The incident underscores the growing tension between wildlife conservation successes and agricultural livelihoods as wolves continue their natural recolonisation of Western Europe.