No shooting - wolves died a natural death

The two wolves found dead in the district of Bautzen were not shot. The animals died of natural causes, according to the Saxon State Office for Environment, Agriculture and Geology in Dresden. The experts cited "an intraspecies conflict" - a fight between the two cubs - as the reason. It was initially suspected that the animals had been shot.

After an examination at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) in Berlin, however, this could be ruled out, they said. A radiological examination also showed no evidence of any external influence.

Injuries raised suspicion of illegal shooting

The two wolves are reportedly young females. They had been found in the Hoyerswerda area in recent days. Due to the injuries, experts initially suspected that they had been shot illegally.

Conflicts between wolves are not uncommon, they said. The animals claimed both habitat and food and defended them. Such competition can lead to fights, injuries or death.