Scottish Wolves

[Renn]

I don't have enough time to express my views now, but I will later. For now, anyone else can express theirs.

[Shunké]

Question! What exactly about them? And, are they a certain breed of wolf, or something?
*is lost*

[Lajos]

I think the point here is concerning whether Scottish Wolves existed. It is known that South Britain and the surrounding isles were once inhabited by wolves, up until the 1700s, but I don't think north Britain had any... *Shrugs*

[Renn]

The question is, do you think we should re-introduce them to Scotland. There was a plan for European grey wolves to be re-introduced, but, if they bring back a creature from an old foodchain. they'd have to bring back all sorts of other creatures to - there is only one herd of reindeer left, so they'd have to bring in some more for example.

[Cwen]

Okies, I shall explain some things *lives in Scotland anyway*

Yes wolves used to live in Scotland. And obviously now they are extinct thanks to man. And since the disapearance of wolves Red Deer population (and many other animal populations) have soared due to lack of natural preditors. So now Red Deer go through a culling season each year which means man can go and hunt these animals killing about 500 or more (i'm sure it's far more...but 500 sticks in my mind for some reason). This obviously is jsut to keep the population steady so as not to use up food sources and what not. Also it's a sport for evil hunters.

Aannnddd...no we would not have to reintroduce a whole load of different species into the foodchain if we reintroduced wolves. We could simply stop putting the deer through 'culling' and let the top preditor settle back into it's natural role which would help keep red deer numbers level and of course it would just keep things natural.
Reindeer would be part of their diet, but clearly if red deer are over populated and there are many young, sick and old deer then the wolves are more likely going to go for them.

I am a great supporter of the idea on bringing wolves back to Scotland. Sadly it's due to many farmers and folk up in the north who believe that the wolves would be a nusence and a threat. But meh, they suck. I say since wolves are so shy and if there are pleanty of natural prey they won't go near people and their livestock. And plus the wolves would probably be monitered and watched and stuff to see how they were getting on *so wants to help if they do reintroduce them*

But yeh, they have grey wolves in the Highland Wildlife Park, but obviously they are enclosed, heh.

Sorry for the rant there, but I jsut wanted to give you out some details on the issue...

[Renn]

Thanks Cwennie, it puts things into perspective

[Cwen]

Heh, no problem little one

Glad to help put things into perspective *nods*

[Lajos]

I suppose I stand neutral on this idea... I think they should be introduced again to Scotland, but maybe just in captivity until they become used to the area. Overall, yes, I think they should be introduced to Scotland

[Cwen]

Well yeh at first they'd have to make a large enclosure and set them loose in it, feeding them probably red deer and native animals to let them get used to the type of animals they'd be hunting and what not. And after several weeks of this then they'd set them free. They'd most likely have radio collars on so that they can be kept track of incase they run into trouble with people or jsut in general.

But yeh I'm sure if it happened it would be a very well monitored and planned out procedure.
Lol I make it sound like an operation! >.<

I've watched pleanty of these programmes where they reintroduce animals like wolves to new areas and such so I'm jsut sort of gathering that they'd do this. Not to mention I read 'The Loop', amazing book (based on wolves and such...it's written by the author of the 'Horse Whisperer' if no one knows what I'm on about >.< )

[Lajos]

Yeah, I understand one-hundred percent where you're coming from--I don't want to start an argument--and yes, money and live importations would be an ordeal. However, unless wolves were released in an extremely unpopulated area, for example, the northern tip of Scotland, it might be dangerous to local cattle. Still, if wolves are reintroduced, it should be done in medium-large quantities.

[Cwen]

Yes I understand. But if they were to be released I have a funny feeling that they'd be released ina well chosen area for them to start off with (of course wolves move from spot to spot when prey gets less etc). So they'd probably be put in an area that isn't too populated but also a place where there is little lviestock. If the wolves are reintroduced to an area with a wide variety and pleantiful quantity of prey then they will pay the livestock little heed.
Normally it is if a wolf is a nomad, old, sick or injured that it will go for easy catches such as sheep and cattle. But otherwise they'll leave them alone. Also there are loads of things now that farmers can set up around their fields to scare wolves off etc. There would be ways to work around these problems. But not all are fullproof I know.

On the other note, if they are to release wolves back into the wild, it would only be a single pack to start off with - with a relatively small number of members. Probably only about...5-7 members? See how they do and if they breed and what not, then members of the pack might leave to seek out a new 'pack'. If that's the case then maybe more of the pack will split up and make their own packs elsewhere or they would reintroduce another select few wolves.

Lol, I don't know everything for sure of course, I don't want to seem like I know everything that will happen. But from what I've seen and read about this sort of stuff...that's just what I'm gathering >.<

[Lajos]

Yes, that makes sense. But only the Alphaic Pair may breed, and a bitch(female wolf) only gives birth to a small amount of pups, usually less than the average canine bitch would. Thus, it would take a few years to even have a few packs in the area. So, why not breed them in captivity for maybe two years before releasing them into the wild?

[Zukozu]

[glow=black,9,000]Oooh interesting debate going on here, heheh.

Emmm I'll make a wee note to that Lajós - it may be so that only the Alpha pair breed, but older wolves, or even when the pups grow to just over a year old either remain in the pack or just leave. Some are even chased out.

I watched this programme once about these folk who raised a small litter of wolves that were from different parents and set them free in this protected area place and watched them grow into wild wolves. And every now and then they'd raise another small litter of mayeb three cubs and once they were old enough, they introduced them to the pack and set them free with them. Every litter they raised and introduced were accepted by the wolves who had turned wild.

So maybe if they did reintroduce them back to Scotland, they might try something similar to that. It worked well for that pack anyway...[/glow]

[Lajos]

Hmmm... I read about one group in Britain that raises wolves as a family project. I think they plan to release theirs into the wild. If I get more information about it. I'll be sure to inform ya'll.

[Draeg]

I haven't really had much time to follow this thread to it's entirety but I get the jist of it, personally I'm all for the idea. Wolves were a natural part of the british isle until man wiped them out said number of years ago, because of this the entire ecosystem has been thrown out of whack with increasingly high numbers of prey animals and overpopulation. I don't think it would be necessary to reintroduce any other previously wiped out prey species though in all honestly I see no real problem with doing so being a wildlife enthusaist(?).