A mountain hike apparently turned into a nightmare for two women in Austria. At an altitude of around 2,000 meters, the two felt threatened – possibly by a wolf.
Villach – The beautiful weather on the Whitsun weekend attracted many to the mountains. For example, two hikers set off for the Mirnock in the Lower Drau Valley in Carinthia (Austria). After the ascent, the two women wanted to spend the night there at around 2,000 meters in nature. But during the night, the women felt threatened by a wolf and dialed the emergency number. A police helicopter brought the two to safety, as reported by the ORF, citing the police.
Austria: Fear of wolves – police helicopter rescues women from the mountain
The hikers had seen on Sunday on the mountain at a distance of 200 meters a wild animal – which they thought was a wolf. Around 22 p.m., the women apparently got the impression that they had been watched by the animal for a long time and alerted the emergency services. They stated that they felt at risk. The crew of a police helicopter brought the two to safety.
Female hikers feel threatened by wolves on the mountain. Police helicopter brings two women to safety (symbolic photo). © Dominik Kindermann/imago
The police are now checking whether the women had actually already set up a tent to spend the night on the mountain. Camping in the great outdoors is prohibited under the Carinthian Nature Conservation Act. In Carinthia, a fine of up to 3,600 euros is imminent.
The hikers probably don't have to pay the costs for the helicopter flight. It could not be ruled out that the women were really in danger. Whether it was really a wolf will probably not be clarified conclusively.
In encounters between wolves and humans, it is important to keep calm. Anyone who sees a wolf should always scare it away and scare it away by shouting loudly, experts recommend, according to the ORF. Curious young animals in particular could learn to avoid humans in this way.
33 wolves should live in Carinthia: Fear of wolves in Carinthia
In Carinthia there are always wolf sightings. According to the latest reports, at least 33 wolves are said to be at home in Carinthia. According to the so-called Carinthian Wolf Ordinance, the otherwise strictly protected wild animals may be shot after livestock tears or repeated sightings in settlement areas (risk wolves). Three wolves have already been shot down according to the Carinthian wolf ordinance.
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