Reintroduction of wolves
There has been much publicity about the plans of Paul Lister to reintroduce certain native species to his estate at Alladale, in Sutherland. These will include wild boar, lynx, brown bears and, most controversially, wolves. In 2005, Ramblers Scotland President at that time, Cameron McNeish, and Director Dave Morris visited the estate and discussed the project with Mr Lister. Although Alladale is around 23,000 acres, it is too small an area to support wolves naturally, and so we believe that what is proposed is a “safari park” encircled by a 3-metre high electrified fence in which visitors will pay to be driven around to see the animals.
Director Dave Morris, Paul Lister and Dick Balharry at the Alladale Estate
Ramblers Scotland is clearly concerned about the threat to access posed by such a fence, even if access points are included, and we believe that it is unlikely to receive planning permission. Our main worry, however, is that if this development went ahead it would set a precedent for other landowners to stock their estates with a few wild animals and then put a fence around the whole area. We continue to take an interest in this project.
Ramblers Scotland
position statement on reintroductions
Article from Scottish Rambler
2005