MURMANSK, January 29 (RIA Novosti) - A pack of wolves has mauled to death a unique herd of reindeer near the northwestern Russian city of Murmansk, a local lawmaker said on Thursday.

The attack occurred at a reindeer farm owned by a local Sami community some 40 km (25 miles) from Murmansk. The farm was carrying out research into ways to tame wild reindeer.

"From their birth, the reindeer calves were taught not to be afraid of humans," Valery Strakhov said.

Early on Thursday, a pack of wolves and feral dogs broke through the farm's fence, and attacked the reindeer, killing them all in a matter of minutes. Farmers armed with pitchforks failed to stop the animals.

Last December, the farm's owners asked local hunters to kill a pack of wolves in the region after the animals had mauled to death three reindeer calves, but the request was ignored.