Staff at Camperdown Wildlife Centre in Dundee have received threats from members of the public after five wolves were put down, bosses have revealed.
The pack at the zoo was euthanised after showing unusual behaviour in the wake of an injury to alpha male Loki.
The decision to put all five wolves down led to an outpouring of grief and support for workers at the Leisure and Culture Dundee-run facility.
But some also hit out at the move, claiming “healthy” wolves did not need to die.
Loki, aged 12, along with his offspring Bear, 6, and five-year-olds James, Frank and Fenrir, lost their lives.
Release of reports ‘would be threat to staff safety’
The threats have come to light after a freedom of information request to L&CD from The Courier.
We asked for copies of any reports or expert advice surrounding the decision to put the wolves down.
In a response, L&CD – a council arm’s-length organisation – said: “Following the unavoidable deaths of the wolves, the staff at the wildlife centre have received threats from members of the public.
“As a result, the release of the reports and the names of staff would be a threat to the staff’s health and safety, and Leisure and Culture Dundee as a responsible employer cannot put its staff at risk.
“Section 39 of the Freedom of Information Scotland Act 2002 states that information is exempt if its disclosure under this act would or would be likely to endanger the physical or mental health of an individual.
“In this case the release of the report could encourage those making threats to carry them out and, as such, the information is exempt information under the act.”
It added that L&CD is also waiting for government officials to confirm they are “satisfied with our actions” and have concluded that “no further action is required”.
Abuse of staff ‘saddening and ridiculous’
Councillor John Alexander, leader of the city council, says while he has no input into the operations at the centre, “most sensible people understand that the difficult and horrible decision was taken on expert advice”.
He added: “The centre employs professionals who care for those animals, day in, day out.
“In truth, it’s saddening and ridiculous that on top of having to deal with the situation itself – which would have been heart-wrenching for the wildlife centre team – members of staff have also had to put up with abuse.
“Most likely, abuse from folk that have no clue about wildlife and have no qualifications in the subject.
“On a positive note, I did also see an outpouring of sympathy and support and those messages, I’m sure, would have been very much appreciated by the team during a difficult time.”
Details of wolf’s injury revealed
L&CD has, however, revealed details of the injury that caused Loki’s health to deteriorate.
The wolf began to take unwell on March 15 and two separate surgeries on a tear on his abdomen proved unsuccessful.
In the aftermath of the deaths, a biological sciences expert told The Courier that packs of wolves can often “dissolve” following the loss of the alpha male – and that sending the animals to other zoos would have been difficult.
The centre shut for a day following the deaths to allow “heartbroken” staff time to process what had happened.
Camperdown Wildlife Centre is home to more than 50 species of animal and receives the bulk of its funding from Dundee taxpayers.
Conversation