What happens to the wolf after the fatal shot? - Hunters pursue the elusive Hornisgrinde wolf in Baden-Württemberg

A wolf, known as the Hornisgrinde wolf, is being tracked by a specialist team in Baden-Württemberg. Authorities have issued a shoot-to-kill order, but success remains uncertain. If captured, the animal's remains will be used for scientific research rather than public display.

The Ministry for the Environment has assembled a 'removal team' to locate the wolf. Their methods resemble those seen in old Western films, though the identities of the hunters remain secret for safety reasons. Despite their efforts, there is no guarantee the wolf will be found—similar cases, like that of 'Roddy' in Lower Saxony, have shown how difficult such operations can be.

Should the wolf be killed, its carcass will be sent to the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research for study. Samples will also go to the Senckenberg Centre for Wildlife Genetics to confirm its identity. Unlike the 'last wolf of the Odenwald', shot in 1866 and now displayed in Eberbach's city museum, this wolf will not be mounted. Instead, its remains will be handed to the Forest Research Institute of Baden-Württemberg for further examination.

Taxidermist Joseph Kälberer argued that mounting the wolf could have served as an educational tool. He believed it might help people better understand the species and its role in the animal kingdom. However, officials have decided against this approach.

No wolves in Baden-Württemberg have been officially classified as 'problem animals' since their return to the region. The outcome of this operation will depend on the team's ability to track and locate the Hornisgrinde wolf. If successful, the animal's remains will contribute to ongoing research rather than public exhibition.