Hamsters present 'more' threat than escaped wolf

A manager at a wildlife park where a wolf broke out from its enclosure said pet hamsters posed a greater threat to the public than the escapee.

The female escaped at the Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig on Tuesday afternoon, but was recaptured.

Animal collections manager Douglas Richardson said public safety was never at risk.



He said: "There is so much mythology about how dangerous wolves are. Your average hamster is more dangerous."

He said fairytales such as Little Red Riding Hood have played a part in the mythologizing of wolves.

The collections manager added: "There is no authentic account of a healthy wolf either in captivity or the wild attacking human beings."