Why would this be so surprising though, or need corroboration? I would just assume the presence of wild animals in any place where humans aren't.

Also y'know wolves aren't really some dark harbingers of doom, heavy with portent; they're just a kind of dog, doing their dog thing, looking for food and whatnot. Yeah they're ferocious... so is a panda when it's pissed off. But the panda gets to be the beloved symbol of cute cuddliness while the wolf is reviled as the symbol of all that is evil. Grow up, Red Riding Hood!