A wildlife park in south-east England has euthanized an entire pack of wolves after the group’s dynamics broke down and conflict escalated.
The Wildwood Trust said in a statement shared with CNN on Friday that three of the five wolf packs suffered life-threatening injuries and were put down during the escalating violence.
After other interventions failed to stop the fighting, after consultation with experienced animal caretakers and veterinary experts, the park on the outskirts of Canterbury decided to euthanize the wolves, named Odin, Nuna, Minimus, Tiberius and Maximus, to prevent further suffering.
“Our caretakers care deeply about these animals and have done everything they can to find a way forward,” Wildwood Trust executive director Paul Whitfield said in a statement.
“Wolves are highly social animals that live in complex family structures, and any breakdown in these dynamics can increase conflict and rejection. In this case, this led to ongoing welfare concerns and an unacceptable risk of serious injury,” he continued.
“While euthanasia is not something to be taken lightly, in responsible animal care there are times when euthanasia is the most humane option when welfare cannot be maintained,” Whitfield added.
“This decision was an absolute last resort, with the welfare of the animals as our top priority,” he said. “While incredibly difficult, it was ultimately the right thing to do to avoid further suffering.”
The park said wolves live in close association with their packs, so keeping them isolated or separated for long periods of time would raise further welfare concerns.
Placing the wolf in another pack was also not an option as it could lead to further conflicts, injuries or the collapse of another pack, the group said.
In an Instagram post on Thursday, the trust’s team closed the sanctuary while the animals were euthanized and said all of its staff were “heartbroken”, adding: “Many of our staff have cared for these wolves for an extended period of time and this loss will be felt deeply.”
“We know this news is extremely upsetting and understand why so many people are feeling distressed,” the trust told CNN in an additional statement.
“This decision has been taken with great care and following extensive consultation with leading wolf experts and experienced veterinary professionals across Europe, as well as an independent ethical review,” it added.
Euthanasia is performed on groups of animals for a variety of reasons.
Last year, Australian wildlife officers euthanized 90 whales that became stranded on a remote Tasmanian coast after being stranded in rough seas.
In July, a German zoo killed 12 baboons despite protests because it did not have enough space to house them and could not find alternative housing.
