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Rare footage of Veluwe wolfpack captured by wildlife cam (video inside!)

Brin Andrews
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Rare footage of Veluwe wolfpack captured by wildlife cam (video inside!)

A wildlife camera in the Veluwe National Park has captured the forest’s entire eight-member family of wolves — and it’s quite a sight to see. This is the first time the whole pack has been seen on film together. 

The video shows the eight wolves trotting casually through the forest past the wildlife camera. According to the Mammal Society (Zoogdierverenigning), the footage reveals that of the nine pups born in 2019 and 2020, seven are still alive.

This means the wolves are finding plenty of food to eat, according to Mirte Kruit, regional coordinator of the wolf monitoring point (Wolvenmeldpunt). “The fact that volunteers encounter many wolf turds is very nice,” says Kruit. “This clearly shows what they mainly eat: red deer, roe deer, fallow deer and young wild boars.”

A pleasant surprise

Images this sharp are rare, and they were taken as part of a successful monitoring project by a group of volunteers from the Mammal Society. The footage came as a great surprise to the volunteers who keep an eye on the Veluwe’s wolves.

While it’s difficult to distinguish between the similar-looking wolves, the Mammal Society says that Mom is likely leading the way, followed by Dad and the youngest four boys. The two wolves that pass by moments later appear to be the adolescents born in the spring of 2019.

In total, 12 wolves live in the Netherlands. In addition to the wolves seen here, another pair lives in the southern Veluwe and two single wolves in the Midden-Veluwe and south of Eindhoven.

What do you think of the wolves in the Veluwe? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: DutchReview/Supplied

UK driver’s ham sandwich confiscated at Dutch border

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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UK driver’s ham sandwich confiscated at Dutch border

The formalities of Brexit have led to some bewilderment at the Dutch border for UK citizens. The latest of which involves the confiscation of a UK driver’s tinfoil wrapped, ham sandwiches. 

In footage broadcasted by NPO 1, a Dutch border patrol officer can be seen quizzing a UK driver about his various tinfoiled sandwiches. When asked whether any of the sandwiches contained meat, the driver responded that they did. As a result, the sandwiches were confiscated.

Welcome to Brexit

The patrol officer explains to the driver that “since Brexit, you are no longer allowed to bring certain foods to Europe, like meat, fruit, vegetables, fish, that kind of stuff.”

The driver is left quite bewildered by this news, “really? Can I not take out the meat and leave just the bread?” he asks before laughing. The humour is felt on both sides with the Dutch official saying “welcome to the Brexit sir, I’m sorry.” To this, the driver laughs and says, “oh my god.”

The mountain of forbidden sandwiches are packed away by the officer. These are not the first or last food items to be confiscated at the border under Brexit regulations. Images of confiscated food have been circulating online.

Bewilderment

The repercussions of Brexit have led to some confusion for UK travellers to the Netherlands in the past few days. Last week, multiple UK flight passengers were turned away at Dutch airports as they did not have sufficient documents for entry into the country.

Do you feel sorry for this man and his sandwiches? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: Fancy Steve/Wikimedia commons/CC3.0

LIVE BLOG: First press conference of 2021: will we get a curfew?

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
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LIVE BLOG: First press conference of 2021: will we get a curfew?

Coronavirus in the Netherlands: today’s news

The latest news on coronavirus in the Netherlands ahead of tonight’s press conference at 19:00. The live blog will load below.

The latest headlines:

Feature Image: DutchReview

Tonight’s press conference: here’s what to expect for the three-week lockdown extension

Brin Andrews
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Tonight’s press conference: here’s what to expect for the three-week lockdown extension

Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Health Minister Hugo de Jonge will hold a press conference tonight at 7 PM about coronavirus measures in the Netherlands. A three-week extension of the lockdown is anticipated. These are some of the discussions expected for the conference.

Reopening of schools

One of the main points of concern for the extension of the lockdown is regarding children returning to schools. Information from The Hague was leaked yesterday about the possible reopening of schools on January 25.

The cabinet is said to be looking for safe ways to reopen daycare and primary schools. While there is evidence of major outbreaks in schools and contact tracing that often leads back to the classroom, the ministers are waiting to see what the research presents.

British strain and children

After the widespread outbreak of the new British strain at a school in Bergschenhoek, suspicions have been raised that children are especially susceptible to this mutation.

“The OMT advice is not yet clear about the contagiousness of the British variant for children,” explains political reporter Fons Lambie. The Outbreak Management Team (OMT) is expected to conduct investigations, after which it will be evident whether a reopening of schools on January 25 is feasible.

Confusion over British variant

There is some uncertainty over the effects of the British variant of the virus in the Netherlands. Recent reports from Great Britain show that the mutated strain may become dominant there within a few months, according to RTL.

However, separate data regarding patients currently receiving care in British hospitals reflects that the original strain is still widely circulating. Questions are now being raised about the contagiousness of the British variant.

Mayors call for clarity

Mayors of the 25 security regions have raised concern over how and when the lockdown will end. “At the moment we support the lockdown, but it is about afterwards,” said Mayor Hubert Bruls, chairman of the Security Council. “People yearn for a different future.”

Without perspective, the mayors fear support for the current measures will wane, “Not only with the business community and the catering industry, but also people sitting at home,” said Bruls. “You cannot keep throwing measure on measure endlessly.”

According to Bruls, “Before spring arrives we need to have a new perspective.”

Will measures be tightened?

Whether new travel restrictions or a curfew will come into play, it’s still too early to tell, explains Lambie. These changes would “require considerable enforcement capacity,” which has already presented problems under the current measures.

“We see full parking spaces at many companies. That is really different from March and April,” says Mayor Bruls. “People are still visiting each other as usual.”

Ultimately, the lockdown comes down to infection rates. “The contamination figures are just not going down fast enough,” says Lambie.

Follow tonight’s press conference in English as we report on our live blog.

Feature Image: Alexandros Michailidis/Shutterstock.com

Primary schools to potentially reopen on January 25, says Dutch cabinet

Emily Burger
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Primary schools to potentially reopen on January 25, says Dutch cabinet

The Dutch cabinet is looking for safe ways to open up daycare and primary schools again on January 25. This will depend on what research reveals about how the new coronavirus strain affects children.

A major outbreak of the new strain in a school in Bergschenhoek has raised suspicions that young children are especially susceptible to this mutation. Cabinet is waiting for advice from the Outbreak Management Team (OMT) to clarify if this is the case.

If it appears that the risk to children is acceptable, the government will aim to reopen schools for younger children on January 25. Regardless, the rest of education will remain closed until February 9, reports NOS.

In the municipality of Lansingerland, where the Bergschenhoek school outbreak occurred, all residents over two years of age will be tested for the virus in the coming period.

Would childcare and primary schools reopening sooner affect you? Tell us in the comments below.

Feature Image: klimkin/Pixabay

Grab the hot chocolate and fuzzy socks — things are about to get frosty in the Netherlands

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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0
Grab the hot chocolate and fuzzy socks — things are about to get frosty in the Netherlands

This year’s winter period has been underwhelming to say the least. But if you’re looking to experience that true winter feeling, the upcoming weather can offer you the chance to pretend everything is normal for a bit.

According to the NOS, from this Thursday on, the Netherlands is going to be getting cold and frosty — so grab your hot water bottle, the latest winter-themed Rom-Com and forget about everything else.

Prolonged frost

Whilst the country has seen slight touches of frost and snow here and there, it looks like the entirety of the Netherlands will experience freezing weather from Thursday on. And there is no end in sight.

From Thursday, maximum temperatures will reach 0 degrees — whoopie — with minimum temperatures reaching as low as -5 degrees.

For now, meteorologists can see that the Netherlands will freeze for “at least four nights” so if you were planning on hitting the town — 2021 translation: going for a long walk — we recommend you don’t.

The last thing hospitals need right now are some extra broken wrists and ankles, so do your bit for society and pile on the blankets, turn on the fairy lights, open up the Netflix and keep cosy.

Were you missing the winter weather? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: Bart van Geffen/Unsplash.

Eindhoven restaurant opens for indoor dining despite corona measures

Emily Burger
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Eindhoven restaurant opens for indoor dining despite corona measures

BBQ restaurant De Kiet in Eindhoven was open for business this weekend despite lockdown measures. Customers were invited to sit inside, and a sign outside the door read; “No face mask? No problem. Live a little.”

The restaurant received a final warning from the municipality, reports RTL Nieuws. Should they break corona measures again, the government will close their doors indefinitely.

Left in the cold by The Hague

In a video posted on Facebook, the owners expressed their frustrations with the extended corona measures, stating they have been “left in the cold by The Hague” for months. “F*ck it,” they say, “we are open from now on.”

They go on to highlight the pain that corona measures caused businesses and workers in 2020, how many are going bankrupt and had to fire workers. “We can’t wait a day longer for ‘hopeful’ news from The Hague. We have already seen that they are not going to help us. Are you an entrepreneur and do you feel powerless? Get up and stand up for your staff and your business,” they say.

The video received a lot of positive responses, as people called the owners “brave” and “heroes.”

Government intervention

According to Omroep Brabant, several people were eating inside the restaurant on Sunday night with no masks on. Around 10 PM, shortly after the regional paper published their story on the restaurant, police cars drove past but no action was taken.

The owners then sent customers outside and returned to offering take-away meals only. Later in the evening, the restaurant received a final warning. The mayor of Eindhoven has the power to close any restaurant permanently who are not following corona guidelines. This will be the case for De Kiet if they are found breaking the rules again.

What do you make of this restaurant’s behaviour? Tell us in the comments below.

Feature Image: Sandra Seitamaa/Unsplash

Dutch lockdown extended by three weeks, more support for businesses

Brin Andrews
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Dutch lockdown extended by three weeks, more support for businesses

The lockdown in the Netherlands will be extended by three weeks, sources from The Hague tell the NOS. The current lockdown was previously due to be lifted on January 18 for schools, and January 20 for shops. It will now last at least through February 8 and 10, respectively.

Members of the cabinet met with their advisors on Sunday afternoon to discuss coronavirus measures. Some experts have called for an extension of the lockdown, and that advice appears to have been taken.

It had been leaked earlier in the week that an extension of the current lockdown was likely, so this information does not come as a surprise. The rate of infection in the Netherlands has not shown signs of slowing, and the RIVM said that “convincing effects” of the lockdown had yet to be seen.

Support expanded

An expansion of the support package is also anticipated to assist companies that are impacted by the lockdown. The aid is intended to prevent the collapse of many companies.

In the coming days, the ministers will continue to hold meetings to flush out the details. A decision will be announced at a Tuesday evening press conference.

What do you think of this extension of the lockdown in the Netherlands? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

Feature Image: Gustavo Fring/Pexels

Manic for tulips? Man creates arcade game out of Delft tiles

Vlad Moca-Grama
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Manic for tulips? Man creates arcade game out of Delft tiles

Many people confess their love for the Netherlands, yet one man took it one step further.

A man recently posted in r/thenetherlands an awesome invention. Despite not knowing any Dutch, that did not stop these people from making a work of art/game using none other than Delft blauw tiles.

What are Delft tiles?

If you’ve been to the Netherlands, you’ve certainly seen Delft tiles, which are part of Delftware, or Delft pottery. Known by their blue and white colouring, Delft pottery is a quintessentially Dutch cultural artefact. It was developed during the Dutch Golden Age, inspired by Chinese porcelain brought to the Netherlands by the VOC (Dutch East India Company) and developed in Delft.

Tulip Mania

I am sorry I do not speak Dutch – but I did make this fully functional arcade game out of custom made Delft tiles. It is called Tulip Mania. I was told to post here! I want to go to the Netherlands very much! from thenetherlands

The fully functional game is called “Tulip Mania”. It is made out of 114 faux Delft tiles, with not one being the same as the other.

How to play

It’s a mechanical arcade game, so yes, it has a little ball that you must successfully throw in a hole in order to increase your score.

The maker of the game has said that it is hard to master game due to the tiles, and players have to be strategic about how they throw the ball, using bounce and spin techniques.

The main character on the tiles is called “Titus the Tulip”, and you follow him along on his Delft adventure. In the true spirit of the Dutch Golden Age, the purpose of the game is to steal the spice trade drive the market price of tulips as high as possible.

This is the third arcade game made by the author, and in his own words, it just may be his favourite. You can find more of his work on his Instagram account.

What other Dutch-inspired arcade games would you design? Let us know in the comments.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally written in January 2020 and was fully updated in January 2021 for your reading pleasure.
Feature Image: Allison Meier /Flickr

Could this be the end of drug tourism in Amsterdam? Weed sales to foreigners potentially banned

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
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3
Could this be the end of drug tourism in Amsterdam? Weed sales to foreigners potentially banned

The end of a lads trip to Amsterdam could be nigh: Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema wants to end drug tourism in Amsterdam. 

If her plan is successful, coffeeshops will only be allowed to sell weed, hash, brownies, and other goods to residents of the Netherlands.

“I expect, an important reason for [tourists] to book a budget flight for two days in Amsterdam will disappear,” Halsema told De Volkskrant.

At the same time, she wants to protect coffeeshop owners against organised crime.

Residents only

Halsema has her target set on 166 coffeeshops that attract unwanted visitors to the city centre. By banning sales to foreigners she hopes the number of coffeeshops will drop. This, in turn, will reduce nuisance, and make the soft drug market more transparent and controllable for police.

If tourists are no longer allowed to purchase soft drugs in coffeeshops, Amsterdam will only need approximately 68 coffeeshops. “A huge difference!” says Halsema.

A national law in 2012 made it possible for tourists to be banned from coffeeshops if municipalities chose to enforce it. However, only several municipalities have implemented the rule so far. Amsterdam was not one of them.

What measures is Halsema proposing?

There are three measures in Halsema’s new plan.

  1. The introduction of an “i-criterion” that would restrict coffeeshop sales to residents.
  2. Limit the number of coffeeshops allowed to be part of a chain to prevent major companies from emerging.
  3. Increase the amount of stock a coffeeshop is allowed to have on hand from the current maximum of 500 grams to regulate the back door of coffeeshops.

To enforce the restrictions, authorities will be able to check coffeeshops to ensure they’re only serving residents of the Netherlands. “We assume that a certain type of tourist will no longer choose Amsterdam. Our goal is to shrink the market,” says Halsema.

When will the ban take effect?

There’s no quick fix for the issue — Halsema believes the earliest timeline could be next year. “These are major changes about which there are many opinions in Amsterdam,” says Halsema.

“You must also offer coffeeshop owners a reasonable transition period and we want to introduce another quality mark for entrepreneurs who are acting in good faith. All those things take time.”

What do you think about Amsterdam’s proposed ban to coffeeshop customers? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: Add Weed/Unpslash

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