Wolf attack on Mount Parnitha: “It bit me and scraped my waist”

A man, a local resident, described the attack he suffered from a wolf while he had gone out for a run on Mount Parnitha.

“While I had set off on a main trail in the forest, I came across two wolves that made movements towards me. I waited because I didn’t know how I was supposed to react. One of them did not pay attention to me and headed up towards the mountain, but the other came close to sniff me and made a move towards me. I took steps back, turned my back without knowing whether it was right or wrong and, slowly so as not to scare it, moved away. It followed me and started attacking me. It bit me lightly on the waist but because I was making evasive moves it tore my clothes and scraped my waist. This continued for 500 metres and then it stopped, stood still and watched me as I was leaving,” the man said, speaking to ERT.

Instructions from the Municipality of Acharnes

The Municipality of Acharnes urges those who visit Mount Parnitha on Clean Monday to be particularly careful.

“The Municipality of Acharnes was informed of an incident that occurred in the wider area of the Royal Estates and within the administrative boundaries of the Municipality of Dionysos (route between Kryoneri and the Estates). During the three-day weekend we are going through, as well as every weekend, many visitors are expected to be on Mount Parnitha and it is recommended that they move with particular caution,” it states in a post, giving the following instructions.

• If we spot a wolf, we do not run. If it is at a great distance, we do not approach it and we constantly maintain visual contact. If it approaches, we display aggressive behaviour by making loud noise by any means, shouting and waving objects.
• We avoid walks in suburban areas and within the National Park with our dog. In any case, we always keep our dog on a leash.
• We avoid being in these areas during the day when there is limited natural light, that is early in the morning but mainly at dusk, shortly before it gets dark.
• We do not provide food — intentionally or unintentionally — to any wild animals for any reason.
• We do not leave food remnants outside bins in all suburban areas.
• We inform the Forestry Service or other authorities about the location where the sighting occurred.