French animal rights group offers to rehome escaped wolves

An animal welfare group has offered to help recapture and re-home wolves that escaped when a park in southeast France was destroyed by Storm Alex.

The park was destroyed when the deadly storm swept through the Alpes-Maritimes on October 2. At least four people died. A thousand firefighters were still searching for victims on Monday, while military engineers were on road clearing operations.

Now, the Brigitte Bardot Foundation said in a Facebook post that it would arrange to transport the animals to the Coat Fur sanctuary in Brittany.

Reports say some of the animals were seen on a road about 4km from the village of Boréon in the days after the storm. According to witnesses, they appeared 'distraught'.

Officials have confirmed that at least one wolf is dead. Locals have reported burying two more, while others - including seven black wolves from Canada - have yet to be located. All the animals are chipped, so can easily be identified.

Searchers have, so far, not been allowed to enter the affected area, while rescuers work to help human victims of the disaster, but animal welfare officers will be dispatched to the area as soon as possible.