By WMNAGreenwood
Wolves are to roam Exmoor for the first time in hundreds of years – after two of the fearsome beasts arrived at a Westcountry zoo.
As the debate rages about the “rewilding” of treasured landscapes like the moors – the restoration of damaged natural ecosystems, and the return of keystone species – Exmoor Zoo has taken in two Russian wolf brothers.
Their enclosure has been two years in the making and the animals are now nearing the end of their quarantine.
Danny Reynolds, curator and co-owner at Exmoor Zoo, near South Molton, said: “Ever since we have cared for and developed Exmoor Zoo, as far back as 1993 now, we have wanted to exhibit wolves. Not any wolves but the big Russian wolves that roam the tundra and the frozen arctic circle”.
The wolves – Flea and Hendrix – are part of a Stockholm University research project which is studying the development of wolves compared to domestic dogs.
Known simply as “The Dog-Wolf project” they have hand reared a litter of wolves and litter of Huskies and recorded the differences in their development. The pair will be monitored throughout their lives.
Mr Reynolds added: “Flea and Hendrix have been chosen with care, we did not want wolves that would be unhappy around people, nor did we want wolves that could necessarily breed as there are plenty in captivity in the breeding programmes throughout Europe.
“We wanted these from the project not only because of their research value but because they are what scientists call F1 generation animals.
“In other words, their mum and dad at one time earlier in their life actually roamed the Northern Russian steppes and crossed into Finland and then Sweden where they were caught.
“The Swedish authorities decided to give them to a wildlife rescue centre instead of shooting or euthanasing them and as such they represent the true un-hybridised Russian wolves of folklore. We are proud to be entrusted to look after them.”