Ayman Mohamedi, a simple farmer from the Tajerouine delegation, chose to approach a world few dare to enter: the world of wild animals. He transformed a chance encounter with an injured wolf into a remarkable human and environmental experience that evokes both wonder and questions. Thousands follow Mohamedi’s actions with a mix of admiration and skepticism. While some see this relationship as exceptionally bold, others warn of its dangers. Ayman continues to tell his story in his own way, holding onto a passion that began in his childhood.
Mohamedi recalls the early beginnings of his relationship with animals, remembering a childhood where innocence mixed with curiosity. In his conversation with Sputnik, he says, “I have been fascinated by wild hunting since childhood; as time went by, I grew attached to wild animals, and I naturally kept pets like dogs.” This passion did not remain a fleeting hobby but gradually developed into a lifestyle. Over time, Ayman no longer ventured into the wild merely for hunting but also for discovery. However, this curiosity was not devoid of awareness of these creatures’ nature. Mohamedi affirms, “Wild animals were created by God to live in the wild, and by nature, they avoid humans and do not like to mix with them,” a realization that remained present throughout his experience, even as he approached the most dangerous.
Mohamedi had no plans to tame or raise a wolf. The story emerged from a fleeting humanitarian moment that later turned into an unexpected experience. He narrates, “I didn’t plan on raising him; it happened by chance. I found him injured and with a broken leg, unable to move; he was four months old at the time.” He adds, “When he realized I wouldn’t harm him, his behavior gradually changed, and our relationship strengthened. He started eating from my hand and accepted my closeness and touch,” noting that he learned to respect the animal’s boundaries and privacy, understanding which parts of his body the wolf preferred not to be touched.
As his leg healed, the wolf seemed to regain his life, even sharing his recovery moments with his owner in his unique way. He was delighted with his leg returning to its former state, deliberately showing Mohamedi that his wound had healed. However, the most surprising moment came when he tried to return the wolf to his natural environment; things did not go as he imagined. Mohamedi says, “I left him to return to the wild, but he refused and kept following me, circling around me. When I went home, he went straight to his room,” affirming that “the wolf chose to stay by his side, even though he left the door open for him on more than one occasion.”
Despite the humanitarian aspect of this experience, Mohamedi’s awareness is intricately linked to his precise understanding of the risks, especially since it involves a predatory animal. He states, “There is a real danger in dealing with predatory animals and venomous reptiles. They require special treatment and precise knowledge because any mistake could endanger human life, their family, and even their surroundings.” Despite repeated warnings from his community advising him to return the wolf to the wild and considering it a “dangerous and treacherous” animal, his field experience has led him to a more balanced approach.
He adds, “When I lived with him closely, I didn’t notice the image many promote,” while simultaneously asserting that respecting the animal’s nature is a fundamental condition to avoid any mishap. Alongside this relationship, Mohamedi continues to practice hunting, and the wolf has started accompanying him on his expeditions after a period of gradual training. He says, “Initially, I didn’t rely on him for hunting, but I later trained him to retrieve prey like rabbits and birds, and he succeeded in that,” indicating that “this phase took about five months of continuous work.”
He states, “I strive to convey the idea that this animal is not as dangerous as to make it a target for excessive hunting,” highlighting that “wolves in Tunisia have not recorded attacks on humans, and the fear of them has been entrenched by narratives and myths that do not reflect reality.” With this persistence, Mohamedi continues to write the chapters of his story with the wolf, balancing between personal passion and a deeper environmental vision. An experience that may seem fraught with dangers, yet for him, it is a window to understand nature from within and an attempt to dismantle preconceived images about it.
