The province of Drenthe is working on a wolf protocol specifically aimed at schools and childcare locations. The move comes in response to the growing presence of wolves in the province, which increases the likelihood that children and staff may encounter a wolf during outdoor activities or on the grounds of a childcare site.
Why a separate protocol for childcare?
Childcare locations and schools are sometimes situated in or near areas where wolves are active. Think of after-school care (BSO) programs that take trips to forests or nature reserves, or daycare centers (kinderdagverblijf/KDV) with outdoor play areas that border woodland. It is important for staff to know how to respond if a wolf is spotted near children at play.
A wolf protocol provides clear guidance: it sets out step by step what staff should do when a wolf is sighted, how to safely bring children indoors, and when to contact the province or BIJ12 — the national organization responsible for registering wolf incidents in the Netherlands.
Wolves in the Netherlands: a growing reality
Wolves have firmly established themselves in the Netherlands in recent years. Drenthe is one of several provinces where multiple packs are now active. Although wolves naturally avoid humans, they can occasionally venture close to residential areas or recreational spaces. Experts stress that wolves pose no danger to people as long as the situation is handled calmly and correctly.
Other provinces, such as Gelderland and Utrecht, have previously issued guidelines for dealing with wolves in rural areas. Drenthe is now following suit with an approach tailored specifically to the education and childcare sectors.
What does this mean for parents?
For parents who bring their child to a childcare location in Drenthe, the protocol offers greater reassurance about how staff will handle a wolf incident. It is worth checking with your childcare provider:
- Whether the location already has a wolf protocol in place or is participating in the provincial guidelines
- How outdoor activities are organized in areas where wolves have been spotted
- How parents will be informed if a wolf has been sighted nearby
Source: Nationale Onderwijsgids