They are a long way from home - but these Arctic Wolves had their first proper taste of snow at a farm in rural Berkshire.

Sikko and her two brothers, Pukak and Massak, came to this country from Parc Safari in Quebec, Canada, but their introduction to the white stuff came near Newbury.

'They love snow,' said their owner, Tsa Palmer.

'They definitely find it fun. They're playing around the place, putting their noses into the snow and sticking them out again.

'It's a lovely medium for them.'

The trio, who were only born in March last year, are the only Arctic Wolves in the UK and are the latest attraction at UK Wolf Conservation Trust, in Beenham, near Newbury, which Mrs Palmer runs.

They were only released from quarantine on December 27.

With their thick winter coats they can tolerate temperatures down to a staggering -60C, hence their names, which mean snow or ice in Inuit.

The wolves are part of the 'Beenham pack' of 12 animals, which have been hand-reared and can be taken for walks on leads by visitors.

'The Arctic Wolves are extremely gentle, much gentler and less boisterous than the North American wolves,' said Tsa.

'It goes back to the the wild, where they don't have predators or people to be scared of.'

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