At 09:00 28 December 2004, Chris Rollings wrote:
Why are there no wolves in Scotland, Al?


You're right, Chris - for exactly the same reasons.
Wolves were hunted to extinction by the late 19th century
and no, we cannot be proud of our forebears for that.

Now the Highlands, and ever increasing tracts of lowland
are swarming with uncontrollable numbers of deer. Re-forestation
of cleared land is practically impossible and, to make
things even worse, the Deer Commission is run by a
clique landowners who have no intention of behaving
responsibly.

Re-introduction of wolves is on the cards and I think
we'll see it within 10 years. The biggest problem is
habitat. By the time wolves were hunted to extinction,
so too had the Caledonian forests been almost totally
cleared by the uncontrolled lumber trade.

Practical solutions have been proven in other countries
and are endorsed by government agencies, such as Scottish
Natural Heritage. All that is left to do is educate,
and have the government listen to these agencies...!

I'd love to visit Alaska again to do some serious exploring,
and gliding of course, but not now. Not until Murkowski
u-turns and genuinely begins to influence responsible
behaviour.

Alas, only the people of Alaska are in a position to
apply pressure on him...