A Serbian tourist on Monday reported that her five-year-old daughter was attacked by a wolf last Friday on a beach in the Sithonia peninsula of northern Greece, an incident that, if confirmed, would mark a very rare violent interaction in the country involving the species – as the predator – and humans.

The foreign nationals file a report with both local police and authorities.

According to the latter, the attack occurred at a beach at the Aghios Nikolaos site (Neos Marmara) in Sithonia, part of Halkidiki prefecture, the top holiday draw in northern Greece, and at around 8 a.m.

The child reportedly suffered bites and scratches on her back before the mother and another onlooker scared off the animal by throwing rocks at it. The child was first taken to a nearby health clinic before being transported to the main hospital in the prefecture as a precaution.

In statements to the media in the wake of the press reports citing the incident, a spokesman for the local NGO Callisto cited what he called the confirmed presence of wolves and jackals in the Halkidiki area, amongst the most verdant and wooded in Greece.

Iason Bandios said his group, in cooperation with local forestry service, has already installed cameras to record wolf activity, while calling on local residents to visit the Callisto website and learn how to protect themselves and ensure that large carnivores remain outside residential areas.

Other reports have the local municipality using drones, cameras and even humane traps to locate the wolf.