Man and Wolf from XVIIIth to XXth Century. Studying the Past to Prepare for the Future

The aim of this research project is to improve our knowledge of the cohabitation of the Wolf and Man in Wallonia from the 18th century until its disappearance from Belgian territory at the beginning of the 20th century. In order to meet this objective, several lines of research will be privileged. First of all, we will study the presence of the wolf in Wallonia (species, distribution, manifestations). Then, we will focus on the relation between Man and the wolf: hunting, wolf attacks, elimination of pests. Finally, we will explore the wolf's imaginary world and the potential role of the wolf as a scapegoat. This project fits directly into a societal perspective, namely the issue of the reintroduction of the Wolf in Wallonia. For this reason, particular attention will be paid to contextualising the facts reported, so as to allow well-founded and nuanced comparisons between the past and the present.