The prospect of Highland wolves has been put on hold. Photo: Frank Wouters ![[CC-2.0]](/lib/img/layout/cc-attr.gif)
The prospect of wolves roaming the Scottish glens receded this week with the news that a controversial estate has put on hold plans to reintroduce the animals.
Alladale, in the North-East Highlands, served notice in December last year of its intention to apply for a zoo licence for, among other wildlife, three European wolves.
But owner Paul Lister, whose father founded the MFI furniture company that ceased trading last year, admitted that the 9,300ha (23,000-acre) estate near Ardgay, on the Sutherland-Easter Ross boundary, is too small to support the wolves.
However, he said the long-term goal of the Alladale Wilderness Reserve is to see wolves reintroduced to the Highlands, possibly by co-operating with neighbouring estates or by buying more land.
He told the Scotsman newspaper: “I don’t think we will ever see wolves running around without fences or without some kind of control. There is way too much livestock, there are way too many people’s pets, and there is way too much fear.”
And therein lies the problem. The Mountaineering Council of Scotland has long objected to the high, electrified fences necessary to keep the animals enclosed. They are, says MCofS chief officer David Gibson, a contravention of the right-to-roam requirements of Scottish law. Mr Gibson said earlier this year: “The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 clearly provides access-takers with the right to cross areas of wild land and this right may be compromised by the actions of the Alladale Estate.”
Highland Council’s own access officer Matt Dent recommended refusal of the renewal of a licence under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act, but the licensing committee granted permission to keep wild boar and elk.
Hillwalkers and climbers have complained that the fencing at the site restricts their access to the countryside, including the 846m (2,772ft) corbett Càrn Bàn.
But in his Scotsman interview, Mr Lister made the case for charging visitors to the estate, saying: “It is a great shame if the 300 or so people who currently walk over Alladale every year now aren’t prepared to compromise and to allow possibly 20,000 or 30,000 people in a structured fashion to come into the area on an annual basis to see amazing wildlife and in the process support 100 jobs.
“Is that group of people going to stop progress being made in not only scientific but also economic opportunities?”
And, while the wolves may not make an appearance in the near future, the boar and elk – along with their fence – look set to stay. Mr Lister also intends to introduce a breeding programme for wildcats and bring in red squirrels from elsewhere in Scotland.
Alladale, in the North-East Highlands, served notice in December last year of its intention to apply for a zoo licence for, among other wildlife, three European wolves.
But owner Paul Lister, whose father founded the MFI furniture company that ceased trading last year, admitted that the 9,300ha (23,000-acre) estate near Ardgay, on the Sutherland-Easter Ross boundary, is too small to support the wolves.
However, he said the long-term goal of the Alladale Wilderness Reserve is to see wolves reintroduced to the Highlands, possibly by co-operating with neighbouring estates or by buying more land.
He told the Scotsman newspaper: “I don’t think we will ever see wolves running around without fences or without some kind of control. There is way too much livestock, there are way too many people’s pets, and there is way too much fear.”
And therein lies the problem. The Mountaineering Council of Scotland has long objected to the high, electrified fences necessary to keep the animals enclosed. They are, says MCofS chief officer David Gibson, a contravention of the right-to-roam requirements of Scottish law. Mr Gibson said earlier this year: “The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 clearly provides access-takers with the right to cross areas of wild land and this right may be compromised by the actions of the Alladale Estate.”
Highland Council’s own access officer Matt Dent recommended refusal of the renewal of a licence under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act, but the licensing committee granted permission to keep wild boar and elk.
Hillwalkers and climbers have complained that the fencing at the site restricts their access to the countryside, including the 846m (2,772ft) corbett Càrn Bàn.
But in his Scotsman interview, Mr Lister made the case for charging visitors to the estate, saying: “It is a great shame if the 300 or so people who currently walk over Alladale every year now aren’t prepared to compromise and to allow possibly 20,000 or 30,000 people in a structured fashion to come into the area on an annual basis to see amazing wildlife and in the process support 100 jobs.
“Is that group of people going to stop progress being made in not only scientific but also economic opportunities?”
And, while the wolves may not make an appearance in the near future, the boar and elk – along with their fence – look set to stay. Mr Lister also intends to introduce a breeding programme for wildcats and bring in red squirrels from elsewhere in Scotland.
Ian Jones
19 May 2010Strange,
I can't get the word 'tosser' out of my head...
"too small to support the wolves"- If that's your only problem, just annex more land. Scaling up on area is proportionatly economic in terms of circumference enclosing electric fence. Money IS the only consideration after all.
Ann
20 May 2010Perhaps Mr Lister's plans have changed but it was my understanding that access to this zoo would be restricted to the few people who would be able to stay on the estate and to a few school parties. Where are the 30,000 people and 100 jobs coming from?
Peter Evans
20 May 2010Passed close to this estate just last weekend on a cycle through from Black Bridge to Ardgay - and spent some money in Mr Lister's Ardgay shop having a welcome cup of tea. Alienating outdoors folk is the wrong way to go and makes a mockery of Scotland's access legislation. Mr Lister wants compromise only in one direction - his. His intentions are clear, to make money for himself under the smokescreen of community benefit.
Paul Webster
20 May 2010Look at the zoo application - the wolf enclosure was only a few acres, tiny compared even to the planned elk enclosure.
Should the media really keep describing the published plans to keep 3 wolves in a very small enclosure as 'plans to reintroduce the animals'?
H. Mcfarlane
21 February 2012I find the 'right to ramble' quite a unique experience...that one can enter and walk across someone else's property. This action could well be regarded as 'trespass' thus illegal entry where I live. I recently visited Scotland and England and felt odd walking across private property, I must research the laws of these rights further.
I also say GO FOR IT PAUL LISTER; I saw a programme recently of Alladale, obviously dated, and found it deeply pleasing that here was one of the few 'humans' spending their personal funds with conviction and consideration in support of the environment that 'humans' have destroyed and exterminating the creatures that inhabited these areas....man manipulating their surroundings for their own greed, needs and perhaps ego.... often just because they can ! This is what the human animal does.....and yes we are the plague on the planet.
Being aware of the hunting history of Britain.....I wondered about lynx and bears......I hope Mr. Lister is able to purchase neighbouring properties.....more Power to you Paul Lister.
Darrell Esdale
22 June 2012I was a serving soldier in the Highlands of Scotland... I have been all over the world including reserves with wild animals with electric fences and those reserves are now hugely successful in bringing back those lost animals!.. Paul Lister has a dream which I think is outstanding!... Having spent time on the Hills of Scotland it is a sad place or could I say an empty place!!.. The bringing back of Elk, Wild Boar (which some parts of England now have) also European Lynx and Wolves is a fantastic opertunity for Scotland!!.. Jobs created!!.. Tourism!.. You only have to look at Yellow stone Park as an example!... I think folks just need to trust in Mr Lister and give him a the good folks who are working hard to reintroduce the animals a good chance!!..