A British wildlife park has come under fire for euthanising an entire pack of wolves, claiming it had "no choice" but to put the canines to sleep.
Wildwood in Herne Common, Kent has claimed the drastic action was taken because of a “rapid breakdown in pack dynamics”.
It has insisted the decision was not taken lightly and was an "absolute last resort".
The wildlife park had recently shut the enclosure - which boasted five European grey wolves - after violence broke out among the pack.
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A number of incidents inside the pen had left some of the creatures severely injured.
Wildwood executives said thery were "deeply saddened" by the death of the apex predators.
They said: “Due to volatility within the pack, our team has been unable to safely intervene of provide the level of veterinary care required."
The announcement of the group euthanasia prompted an outpouring of grief and fury on social media.
The wildlife park had recently shut the enclosure - which boasted of five European grey wolves
|GETTY
One user wrote: “Another reason not to keep wild animals in captivity instead of their natural habitat."
While another fumed the move was an "unnecessary" step.
The pack consisted of Nuna and Odin and their litter of three males, Minimus, Tiberius and Maximus.
A top team of experienced vets and keepers were brought to the zoo prior to ease tensions within the pack, but problems persisted.
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Wildwood claimed it had 'no choice' but to take the drastic action
|Paul Whitfield, the director general of the Wildwood Trust, described the situation as tough for everyone connected to the park.
He said: “Our keepers care hugely about these animals and did everything they could to find a way forward."
"Wolves are highly social animals that live within complex family structures, and when those dynamics break down, conflict and rejection can increase.
"In this case, it led to ongoing welfare concerns and an unacceptable risk of serious injury.”
Wolves roamed in large numbers across Britain until the late 17th century
| PAA spokesman for the trust said it "would like to thank visitors and supporters for their understanding at what is a very difficult time".
In recent years, the European grey wolf has staged a stunning comeback across the continent.
An estimated 20,300 individuals are believed to be present across 23 European nations.
The species were once native to Britain and lived in large numbers across the country.
But they were driven to extinction in England during the 15th century, with the last remaining canines wiped out in Scotland between 1680 and 1700.
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