Corinna Harfouch's 'Tatort' Farewell: How Often Do Wolves Kill Humans? - Berlin's Tatort probes a homeless man's death—and the myths of wolves
A recent episode of Tatort Berlin centred on a puzzling case involving a homeless man found with bite marks. Detectives Robert Karow and Susanne Bonard led the investigation, which unfolded during Bonard's last week before retirement. The story wove together themes of survivalism, nature worship, and the unequal value placed on human lives.
Meanwhile, plans for future episodes remain under wraps, though the series will continue with Karow paired alongside a new partner.
The case began with the discovery of a homeless man bearing bite marks, raising suspicions of a wolf attack. A wolf had been sighted nearby, but investigators also considered the possibility of murder, with the bites inflicted after death. As the team dug deeper, they encountered a survival instructor and her student, adding another layer to the mystery.
The episode explored broader ideas, including Bonard's struggle with retirement and the clash between apocalyptic ideologies and nature-centred beliefs. Creator Mira Thiel drew inspiration from an everyday observation on the subway, using it to question why some lives are deemed more valuable than others.
While the plot touched on wolf attacks, real-world data shows such incidents are extremely rare in Germany. Since wolves returned to the country around 2000—and with rabies nearly eradicated in Europe—no documented attacks on humans have occurred. Globally, the WWF reports around 500 wolf attacks between 2002 and 2020, most involving rabid wolves, with only 26 fatalities.
No specific German regions have been affected by wolf aggression, as no verified cases exist. The episode's themes, however, resonated beyond the fictional investigation, prompting reflection on society's priorities and the perceived worth of different lives.
The Tatort episode wrapped up Bonard's tenure while leaving room for Karow's future cases. Details about upcoming storylines and filming remain undisclosed, though the series will introduce a new partner for the detective. The real-world context of wolf behaviour, meanwhile, underscores the rarity of such attacks in modern Germany.
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