Could Wolves Return to Scotland?
Are Proposals for the Reintroduction of the Grey Wolf Just Fantasy?
The wolf, the villain of fantasy and fairytale, has been extinct in Scotland for over two and a half centuries. In the last few years, some landowners and other interested parties have expressed the desire to see the animals reintroduced to the wild, as beavers have recently been. Opposition from other quarters has been strong; and despite government agencies ruling out reintroduction, the debate continues.
Some Key Facts About the Grey Wolf
The grey wolf, Canis lupus, is the largest member of the dog family and strongly resembles some species of domestic dog in appearance, though larger and with longer legs and a straight tail. Colour can vary from rust red to pure white. Wolves typically live in packs of between 5 and 12 animals, though larger packs may exist, and some animals live alone. Though extinct in the UK, the grey wolf isn’t threatened elsewhere.
In considering the reintroduction of wolves to Scotland, two key features of the species are relevant – diet and territory. Wolves are primarily carnivores and their main source of food is larger animals such as moose, elk and boar (in north America and Europe) and, crucially for Scotland, deer. In the absence or shortage of these animals, they will eat a range of smaller mammals - including livestock - but also carrion or berries.
With up to a dozen adults to feed, a pack will require significant amounts of meat. In order to find this quantity, the wolves will cover a very large area. Depending on pack size and availability of food, the range they would cover will be between 75 and 2,500 square kilometres (18500 – 618,000 acres).
Could Wolves be Reintroduced to Scotland?
Wolves were originally part of the natural ecosystem of Scotland, roaming its woodlands and mountains for thousands of years. Though they have been extinct for hundreds of years they can still be seen in the country – albeit not truly in the wild, but in zoos and wildlife parks.
Various proposals have been put forward for the reintroduction of the grey wolf into Scotland. In 2002 the tycoon Paul van Vlissingen put forward a plan to release some of the animals on his estate in the western Highlands; although those proposals relied upon what was described as ‘the support of Scottish environmental, political and social opinion’ (Times Online). That support was not forthcoming.
In the intervening years other proposals have been put forward and the most recent (reported in The Scotsman in December 2009) involve an application for a zoo licence for an estate in Sutherland, under which three wolves would be kept – though within a fenced enclosure, rather than the wild.
The arguments in favour of the reintroduction of the grey wolf may be partly sentimental, but are also rooted in practicality. It is argued by many that the country’s red deer population is currently approaching capacity, and that as these animals are part of the wolf’s normal prey they would play a key part in maintaining a natural ecological balance – better, perhaps, than allowing deer to be stalked for meat or sport.
This view is not, however, universally held. The Red Deer Commission, responsible for managing the animals in Scotland, has rejected the suggestion that there is overpopulation of the animals. Further, they point out that stalking, which is the currently preferred method of population control, is a significant contributor to the rural economy - worth a reported £105 million (The Register).
The organisation Trees For Life, which supports the idea of reintroduction, quotes research undertaken on the Dundreggan estate in Wester Ross which suggests that areas of Scotland are capable of sustaining wolf packs. At 10,000 acres, however, Dundreggan is significantly smaller than the range of a typical pack (see above). The Scottish Gamekeepers’ Association has argued against the proposal on the basis that Scotland is ‘simply too small’ (Shooting Times).
Perhaps the main problem faced in reintroducing wolves to the wild is that of livestock. Even those in favour of the wolves’ return acknowledge that elsewhere in Europe the expansion of wolf populations has come at the expense of domestic livestock, especially sheep, and that this pattern would in all likelihood be repeated in Scotland (The Register). Given this situation, the proposals were never likely to be popular with the farming community.
Nor has support for the idea been forthcoming from elsewhere among those with an interest in managing Scotland’s landscape, commercially or otherwise. As recently as August 2009, an article in the Shooting Times quoted an SNH representative as saying that the organisation was ‘not considering the reintroduction of wolves’ and casting doubt on the level of public support.
Public support is, of course, key. Everyone who knows a fairytale knows that wolves are the villains (think of Red Riding Hood, the Three Little Pigs, or even Peter and the Wolf). Werewolves are part of a long and fearful tradition – and it shouldn’t be forgotten that Scotland’s last wolf was slain on suspicion of killing two young children.
Trees For Life has conducted research which seems to contradict this, finding a broad level of support for the idea – though it was better received by the urban than the rural populations surveyed, and, unsurprisingly, proved s distinctly unpopular among farmers and their representatives.
The success or otherwise of the latest proposal remains to be seen. It appears the case, however, that the reintroduction of wolves into Scotland isn't a project which commands widespread support. Even the Wolf Trust, one of the more vociferous campaign groups (and one which sets out to balance myth and reality) acknowledges that the first step in reintroduction is 'public education, public education and more'. Until that is achieved, the realisation of the wolves' return to the wild seems some way off.
Sources
"SNH dismisses call for wolves to control red deer", Shooting Times 04/08/09
"Scotland says nay to the big bad wolf", The Register 31/01/07
"Tycoon plans to Return Wolves to Highlands", Times Online 13/04/07
Wolf, Zurich Zoo
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