Wolf introduction into UK - Guardian interview with Derek Gow (1 Viewer)

[Anon2020]

Wolves are thriving again across western Europe. Is it time to bring them back to the UK?

 

[Steve Babbs]

Probably a slightly higher chance of persuading people that lynx should be reintroduced but I'm not holding my breath with either.

 

[Xenospiza]

I think deliberately releasing wolves is harder to defend than them walking in by themselves, which is already getting people very vociferous about stopping protection in the EU.

 

[PYRTLE]

I've a lot of time for the author Patrick Barkham, having met him personally at Cley NWT and read two of his books.
However, the subject person, Mr. Gow, has always come across to me as a determined Maverick, interested in only his point of view and ambitions, seemingly unwilling to listen to opposing views let alone taking heed. He has a wonderful record of raising wild species and their husbandry though his aims seem rather fanciful on occasion, this being one of them.

 

[lisamerlot]

I've a lot of time for the author Patrick Barkham, having met him personally at Cley NWT and read two of his books.
However, the subject person, Mr. Gow, has always come across to me as a determined Maverick, interested in only his point of view and ambitions, seemingly unwilling to listen to opposing views let alone taking heed. He has a wonderful record of raising wild species and their husbandry though his aims seem rather fanciful on occasion, this being one of them.

I would be worried about being eaten by a wolf whilst doing photography in the cotswolds

 

[Farnboro John]

There are several criteria that have to be met before considering reintroductions and keen and willing though I am to see Wolves back in the UK the key one - has the cause of the original extinction been removed - has not been met in a country where the moneyed class won't even put up with Hen Harriers and Golden Eagles and the un-moneyed still think Red Riding Hood is a documentary.

John

 

[mjh73]

where the moneyed class won't even put up with Hen Harriers and Golden Eagles and the un-moneyed still think Red Riding Hood is a documentary.

John

Poor does not equal thick / gullible.

 

[Ignatius]

I would be worried about being eaten by a wolf whilst doing photography in the cotswolds

I'm afraid wolves display better taste than to gratuitously snaffle up photographers - or any human for that matter, wolf attacks on people being very rare. So you'll have to jump into a tiger enclosure in the zoo if such is your fancy for making headlines.

 

[Farnboro John]

Poor does not equal thick / gullible.

It is an over-generalisation but the existence of Facebook, the X Factor, Eastenders, bingo, McDonalds and on-line casinos are sufficient evidence for me.

John

 

[Conndomat]

I'm afraid wolves display better taste than to gratuitously snaffle up photographers - or any human for that matter, wolf attacks on people being very rare. So you'll have to jump into a tiger enclosure in the zoo if such is your fancy for making headlines.

The question should then be asked which is really more life-threatening for people?!

Todesfälle durch Hundebisse in Deutschland | Statista

Die Statistik zeigt die Anzahl von Todesfällen aufgrund von Hundebissen (ICD-10 W54) in Deutschland in den Jahren 1998 bis 2022.

de.statista.com

85 deaths in 24 years from dog attacks, in the same period 0 deaths from wolves.

OK. There are many more dogs than wolves in Germany, the probability of being bitten to death by a dog is much higher. On the other hand, there will never be as many wolves as dogs, and the probability of dying from a wolf attack remains extremely low.

Andreas

 

[Farnboro John]

The question should then be asked which is really more life-threatening for people?!

Todesfälle durch Hundebisse in Deutschland | Statista

Die Statistik zeigt die Anzahl von Todesfällen aufgrund von Hundebissen (ICD-10 W54) in Deutschland in den Jahren 1998 bis 2022.

de.statista.com

85 deaths in 24 years from dog attacks, in the same period 0 deaths from wolves.

OK. There are many more dogs than wolves in Germany, the probability of being bitten to death by a dog is much higher. On the other hand, there will never be as many wolves as dogs, and the probability of dying from a wolf attack remains extremely low.

Andreas

Then there's traffic, and humans..... the question of being eaten ought not to be a consideration at all in the Wolf reintroduction matter.

John

 

[Conndomat]

Then there's traffic, and humans..... the question of being eaten ought not to be a consideration at all in the Wolf reintroduction matter.

It shouldn't, but it is.
Here in Germany the hunting lobby keeps making up the "Rotkäppchen" fairy tale.
In my opinion, most hunters don't like competition for prey...
Predators are always hunted down relentlessly and then there's a big, bad wolf.

Andreas