Could These Remains Belong to England’s Last Wolf?
The remains of an animal, being studied nearly 40 years after they were discovered, may belong to England’s last known wolf.
According to Cumbrian folklore, the last wolf in the country was killed at Humphrey Head, near Grange-over-Sands, in the 14th century.
Discovery of Animal Bones in 1987
Animal bones found in 1987 and kept in an English Heritage storage facility in Yorkshire are now being examined to determine the cause of death and the species of the creature.
The Legendary Hunt of the Last Wolf
The legend recounts that after a lengthy chase from Humphrey Head to the Coniston Fells and back again, Sir John Harrington of Wraysholme shot the wolf in order to inherit his father’s estate.
Scientific Uncertainty Surrounding the Bones
There remains some doubt over whether the bones discovered in 1987 belonged to the fabled last wolf or to any wolf at all. Scraping of the bones is set to undergo scientific analysis to determine the diet of the animal, which may shed light on whether it was a wolf, a dog, or a hybrid.
Rare and Mythical: The Wolf in England
Susan Harrison, from English Heritage, said that if the remains are confirmed to be from a wolf, they would represent the last known wolf in England. The bones were found at Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire, and Ms. Harrison estimates they could be dated to around 1540.
Skepticism About the Last Wolf Tale
While skeletons of wolves are “incredibly rare,” and the animal has taken on a “mythical” status in Britain, Ms. Harrison remains skeptical about some parts of the Cumbria legend.
“I think that it’s very, very likely that John Harrington did kill a wolf,” Harrison said, “but whether it’s the last wolf — that’s another question.”