It has been popular for some while with the binocular-toting, woke, urban do-gooders of Islington, that they wish to see certain (dangerous) animals returned to our countryside.
All sorts of creatures have been suggested for re-introduction including Bears, Bison, Wolves, Beavers, Otters, etc.
All very worthy you might think, but these animals died-out for a reason.
I have just read that in Scotland the re-introduction of Beavers has been so successful that many streams and rivers have become blocked-up, and the animals are now being SHOT. They're actually having to get rid of them again!
I also hear that in Holland the number of Wolves wandering around, since their re-introduction, has become a total menace. They are so numerous that they are entering towns, and eating anything that moves; especially small dogs, hens, and cats. Parents are being warned to keep their children away from woodland areas where the Wolves might be a danger. There is now a serious move afoot to reduce their numbers.
I do remember many years ago that the French introduced both Wolves and Bears into the mountainous Pyrenean area between France and Spain. Of course the local farmers became concerned by how many Sheep and Lambs they were losing (Wolves and Bears need to eat), and they took matters into their own hands, and shot them all.
Here in England the Fox population has grown hugely since the Hunting ban, and one now sees them almost everywhere. People are allowed to shoot them (as long as they're not on horseback), but not in public areas or parks. I happen to rather like Foxes, so I would not like to hear of them being shot anywhere near to where I live; out in the countryside it's a different matter, where they can seriously affect a farmer's livelihood (which was why there was Fox Hunting in the first place).
Amazingly, even Otters are now moving into towns where private ponds filled with Coy Carp have become a favourite destination. With some Carp being worth up to £13,000, you can see why their owners are not happy.
Re-introduction of certain wild animals sounds all very cute-n-cosy, but life isn't always like a Beatrix Potter children's story. Wild animals need to kill to eat, and if your very own 'Tiddles' happened to be on the day's menu of your local fluffy Wolf, you wouldn't be too pleased!
An interesting essay Cro... but only yesterday I was chatting with Mrs Tiggywinkles on my way to meet Jemima Puddleduck and Jeremy Fisher by the big pond in Endcliffe Park.
ReplyDeleteAnd what did they all have to say about all the hungry Wolves?
DeleteThey all cried wolf! Beatrix Potter did not write a story titled "The Tale of Gilbert Wolf". Wolves became extinct in Britain by the fifteenth century - largely because King Edward I ordered their extermination.
DeleteIt's worse near Loch Ness. They are introducing giant wild cattle that have been extinct for hundreds of years. Let us hope the Tauros are of a benign bent. They had Highland cattle running wild in the Peak District but had to get rid of them; Highland Cattle are an amicable lot but townies managed to annoy them.
ReplyDeleteWhat were the townies doing? Trying to feed them with carrots?
DeleteClose, they were trying to take them sausage.
DeleteNow, if those urban foxes would only be eat the feral (and other) cats that are decimating the small bird population, there might be some good in it? Or let's have wolves back and feed them on the Chris Packham's.....that would be poetic justice.
ReplyDeleteThe Royal Society for the Protection of Birds estimate that Cats kill 275 Million creatures every year, of which 55 Million are birds.
DeleteNever understand these estimated figures...how do they know and who is counting?
ReplyDeleteThink of a number, double it, subtract 10%, then add whatever you fancy!
DeleteI adore foxes, but as more people are feeding them locally, they are healthy and having more cubs, the number of foxes are growing, they have become a bit of a menace. Sadly people moan about the foxes, others shout louder about us taking their habitat, houses here are over 100 years old. Either way, there is a growing issue.
ReplyDeleteI like Foxes too. In towns they tend to just clear-up the 'takeaway leftovers' in the street, but out in the country they can cause havoc.
DeleteIt is never a good idea to mess with Nature.
ReplyDeleteQuite right. Otherwise nature wouldn't be nature.
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