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David Attenborough backs calls for the reintroduction of wolves to Scottish highlands David Attenborough backs calls for the reintroduction of wolves to Scottish highlands
(34 minutes later)
David Attenborough has backed calls for the reintroduction of wolves to the Scottish highlands.David Attenborough has backed calls for the reintroduction of wolves to the Scottish highlands.
The respected naturalist and broadcaster said that allowing wolves back into the wild would not harm anyone and that the animals had been unfairly demonised over the years.The respected naturalist and broadcaster said that allowing wolves back into the wild would not harm anyone and that the animals had been unfairly demonised over the years.
“I think getting wolves back into the wild cannot harm anyone,” he told Scots Magazine’s latest April edition.“I think getting wolves back into the wild cannot harm anyone,” he told Scots Magazine’s latest April edition.
Wolves disappeared from the Scottish highlands towards the end of the 18th century when they were hunted to extinction and can now only be seen in Scotland in captivity.Wolves disappeared from the Scottish highlands towards the end of the 18th century when they were hunted to extinction and can now only be seen in Scotland in captivity.
Mr Attenborough continued: “They have been demonised over the years, but really they’re gentle and very loyal creatures, whose sole purpose is to survive and look after each other.Mr Attenborough continued: “They have been demonised over the years, but really they’re gentle and very loyal creatures, whose sole purpose is to survive and look after each other.
“There’s no ecological reason not to welcome wolves back - they shouldn’t be in captivity when there’s so much space for them to flourish in the environment.”“There’s no ecological reason not to welcome wolves back - they shouldn’t be in captivity when there’s so much space for them to flourish in the environment.”
Sir David, 88, wades into a discussion stretching as far back as the 1960s - when the idea was first proposed.Sir David, 88, wades into a discussion stretching as far back as the 1960s - when the idea was first proposed.
Although environmentalists have supported the idea of reintroduction of wolves, any initiative would have to be approved by Scottish Natural Heritage, the body responsible for wildlife and habitats in Scotland.Although environmentalists have supported the idea of reintroduction of wolves, any initiative would have to be approved by Scottish Natural Heritage, the body responsible for wildlife and habitats in Scotland.
A spokesperson for the organisation told The Independent: ""SNH has no plans to reintroduce wolves to Scotland at this time."
They continued that should a third party wish to petition for wolves reintroduction, there were a series of steps that had to be followed.
"There are pluses and minuses to reintroducing any species. Wolves could, for example, help reduce deer numbers in Scottish woodlands but, on the other hand, some land use organisations have concerns about the impact of a reintroduction on livestock,” the spokesperson added.
Landscape conservation charity the John Muir Trust (JMT) said last year there were no ecological reasons against the reintroduction of wild wolves.Landscape conservation charity the John Muir Trust (JMT) said last year there were no ecological reasons against the reintroduction of wild wolves.
But many farmers and landowners remain opposed to the idea on the grounds that the wolves would harm their livestock.But many farmers and landowners remain opposed to the idea on the grounds that the wolves would harm their livestock.