The Guardian on deer numbers and the re-introduction of wolves.

[Mountain Bug]

This guy must be related to the chap on Alladale estate, Paul Lister?

He had the same idea. Guess where that ended up, in the bin. I attended the first meeting at the estate, in which one of the so called experts claimed that they would release Wolves onto the estate. But that the fence, they intended to put up, and have, would keep them in.

Having put my hand up at that meeting, as my lease at the time bordered their estate, I told them that 6ft of driven snow against the fence in winter in the highlands would soon see your captive wolves roaming freely around the highlands of Scotland. Going by the looks on Paul Listers face at the time, I dont think he liked me too much.
Needless to say no Wolves have ever been introduced. And they never will be in the UK. So Mr Monbiot is talking out of his arse.

Never say never Malc. Ten years ago, smart money would have bet against wolves being reintroduced in Colorado, but here we are. The first bunch released late last year and more to come soon.

Scott

 

[sikamalc]

USA plenty of room. UK not enough room for large predators and far too many people and livestock.

 

[Mt Al]

USA plenty of room. UK not enough room for large predators and far too many people and livestock.

Have to agree and I used google-foo to find the following for context:

UK population, square miles: 67,330,000 people, 94,058 square miles
Montana population, square miles: 1,104,000 people, 145,509 square miles
US population, square miles: 332,000,000 people, 3,809,525 square miles. Alaska alone has 665,000 of those square miles.

Regardless, my guess is that the elitists will force some scientific reason that the "UK has an obligation to reintroduce predators" using compelling language, emotional advertising with celebrity backing and a flurry of press releases. I hope for the sake of the working class, rural lifestyle and sanity that this never happens in the UK.

 

[Mountain Bug]

"not enough room for large predators and far too many people and livestock"

If only I had a dollar for every time I've uttered those same words or heard them said by neighbors and associates. Yet we now have wolves. It came down to a simple vote of 51 to 49 percent.

It does help me cope some days to consider these proponents as stupid, however they are clearly not. Stupid did not get wolves reintroduced despite objection from almost all rural landowners and the entirety of our game management department (Colorado Parks and Wildlife).

A solid strategy of emotional appeals, endless free advertising on all of our news channels, political pressure, great legal representation from very deep pockets and just overall tenacity won this battle. As a rural landowner myself, it is hard to accept defeat but not as hard as realizing that my way of life could so easily be jeopardized by a majority of voters whose knowledge of the outdoors comes primarily from a computer or television screen.

Scott

 

[tozzybum]

The 120 acres I go on has a few muntys,rabbits and a random Roe or Fallow.
So when they're starving pillock Monibot,s wolves will survive as there's a nice 1000 pupil school to chew on.
How's about we all chip in a quid for his plane ticket and lend him a tent .See how he interacts in Alaska with the wolves and bears he's so fond of

 

[Scarpa]

We have a few wolves and one bear (for a short time) that have moved into or through the area in Austria where I live. Mostly young single animals moving to look for new territory. There were some cubs videoed the other year though so there is the beginning of a proper pack about an hours drive away. Last year there were a spate of sheep kills and the DNA analysis confirmed it was all from a single animal, the government lifted protection for a month and it was quickly shot. DNA confirmed that it was the animal responsible. Compensation is paid for livestock killed and generally any problems are mild and short lived. However, the Alps have a hell of a lot more wilderness than the UK.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Hmmm.

Wolf populations are expanding across Europe

Large populations of wolves are currently expanding across Europe, prompting experts to search for solutions to build harmonious relationships

www.earth.com

I ‘spose that Zac Goldsmith fella could always be employed to race round Europe to thin them out - if he still had a driving licence of course...