“There has been a severe escalation in aggressive behavior within the Wildwood Kent wolf pack, resulting in multiple life-threatening injuries,” the organization said, adding that three of its five wolves sustained serious injuries from infighting. “Due to the volatility within the pack, our team has been unable to safely intervene or provide the level of veterinary care required.”<\/p>\n
The park’s staff and veterinarians made the decision to euthanize the pack after determining that the group’s dynamics had broken down, which could cause severe risks for the the animals’ quality of life and safety, the trust wrote.<\/p>\n
“Anyone familiar with Wildwood’s work will know that animal welfare is always our highest priority. Euthanasia is only ever considered as a last resort,” the organization’s Facebook post continued. “Over a prolonged period, extensive efforts have been made to manage the pack, support individuals, and prevent escalation.”<\/p>\n
“However, the situation presented an ongoing and unacceptable risk to welfare, and we were no longer able to ensure the safety or quality of life of the animals within the group,” the post added. “…This is an incredibly difficult moment for our team. We are all heartbroken. Many of our staff have cared for these wolves over a long period of time, and this loss will be deeply felt.”<\/p>\n
In a follow-up comment shared to social media, the park said that “moving the wolves was not an option,” as it could lead to further conflict between the animals, or the breakdown of another group.<\/p>\n
“Due to the instability within the pack, we were unable to safely intervene or provide the level of veterinary treatment needed. This meant that maintaining any acceptable quality of life for the animals was no longer possible,” Wildwood staff wrote. “… Euthanasia is always a last resort, and in this case it was the only way to prevent further suffering.”<\/p>\n
Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter<\/a> to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer\u200b\u200b, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.<\/p>\n Wolves in their enclosure at the Wildwood Trust on March 11, 2021.![\"Wolves](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/89f6bf5b6bf10b340852ec56166f0c83.jpeg\"\/)
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Credit: Dan Kitwood\/Getty<\/p>\n