Did we spot a wolf on the run?

Wolves have returned to Belgium in the last decade and there is  since 2018 a residential couple Akila  & Maxima in the east of Belgium.  And their daugher is also residential and both couples had babies last september...so quite some wolves around.  One of them had just been spotted and nicely photographed near the Botrange & Peak brewery the week before I saw on Instagram.


So when we were walking back from our sledging fun to our home, I caught up with Jan and the boys who were signalling me to be quite and come at the edge of a field. I imagined they had spotted some wildlife but I did not expect the phrase "I think I've seen a wolf".  That sounded unbelievable but yet not impossible.  

Without losing time, I started rushing as quickly as I could up the road uphill as I knew the field had an open access point near the village which would allow me to get an overview downhill from there. But by the time I'd be there surely the animal would be far gone, but it was all I could try to do. 


So I entered the field, advanced downward a bit and surely I saw some movement.   Full of adrenaline I tried to take some pictures but quickly resorted to a little film not to miss anything....Did we...did we really spot a wolf? I had no idea? no it must have been a dog...but it could be, I can't tell in this speed or distance. 

 

I was sooooo thrilled and curious that I started tagging and sending DM's to nature organisations and the guardians of the Hauges Fagnes.  The latter was quite responsive, was in doubt himself, wanted me to send him the original movie in high quality over whatsapp etc.

By the next morning however he confirmed that this was an escaped wolfdog crossing the area and leaving a trail of sheep attack behind. They were coming to check his traces and deduct his itinerary. 
Still pretty cool and I'm happy to have received an answer.