Wolfs return to the Netherlands after 140 years

The first wolf found in the Netherlands in more than 140 years walked there freely from eastern Europe, scientists say, dismissing allegations its body had been dumped joke.

The female wolf has mystified the Netherlands since its body was found by the roadside near the tiny village of Luttelgeest in the north of the country last month.

Some had even suggested that eastern European agricultural workers employed in the Netherlands had brought the wolf from their home country to confound the Dutch.

But now a bevvy of Dutch scientific and wildlife groups have come together to establish the truth.

The Dutch Wildlife Health Centre (DWHC) said Wednesday that "the wolf died from a heavy blow to the head, apparently from being hit by a car".

It was in good health, about one and a half years old, and had just eaten some young beaver, the DWHC said in a joint statement with the Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, the Alterra research institute and Wolven In Nederland (Wolves in the Netherlands).

Read more: Wolf found in Netherlands no joke: boffins | The Australian