Wolf attack near Athens triggers urgent safety warnings for hikers
The attacked occurred between the settlement of Kryoneri and the former royal estate at Tatoi, in a wooded area, less than 25 kilometers north of central Athens.
The number of hikers in the area is expected to rise over the long weekend that includes Clean Monday. The municipality felt compelled to issue instructions to prospective hikers.
They include warnings not to run away from a wolf, but also not to move toward it and keep a safe distance while maintaining eye contact. In the rare case a wolf approaches, people should adopt an aggressive stance and make noise, using any available objects to do so.
People should also avoid walks in the dark, at down and toward sunset. And, if possible, avoid walking their dogs in the area; and, if they must, they are advised to always keep them on a leash. And, in any case of an encounter, authorities should be alerted.
Finally, people are advised not to feed wild animals or leave exposed food as trash.
