The Real Monarch Of The Glen

[deer boy]

Originally Posted by sheps

Anyone who supports this should think how safe would they feel living within 5 miles of him and the predators he wants to introduce here into a natural wild environment. I was brought up walking the hills and it is good to feel safe, those days feel numbered if this man has his way.

I think your overreacting slightly people who live in places like Australia & Africa have wildlife far more dangerous than the animals Paul Lister wants to re-introduce.
The animals were here long before us as well,it's only because we wiped them out that there not still living here now

[sheps]

No I don't think this is an over reaction, but yes it came across as one.

This is not Africa or Australia, if it was it would not be such an issue. Do you have any idea how small Scotland is and the small area he owns? Do you think it is fair to keep such animals in such numbers in such a small area? How can they live naturally fenced in such a small area? Also the ecology is a lot different to when these animals once lived here and I doubt the landscape cannot support so many apex predators.

Just because they were once here is no reason in my books to bring them back, we simply don't need them and they will bring no benefit to the average Scot. I mean would you bring back dinos if you could? After all they were here first too.

Hell why can't everyone see it is only about the money to be made not the animals. Even his website and local shop just reek of someone out to make money. I would have more respect for him if he was honest about that fact instead of hiding behind this charade.

There is just a lot more to this whole topic and yes I never went into it in my first response which made it look like an over reaction. I will not go into it now as there is plenty of other people better qualified than me who have already done so if you care to look it up on the web.

[deer boy]

Originally Posted by sheps

This is not Africa or Australia, if it was it would not be such an issue. Do you have any idea how small Scotland is and the small area he owns? Do you think it is fair to keep such animals in such numbers in such a small area? How can they live naturally fenced in such a small area? Also the ecology is a lot different to when these animals once lived here and I doubt the landscape cannot support so many apex predators.

Which sadly are a few of the reasons why his plan won't work, it is to small & he wouldn't be allowed to put predators & prey in the same enclosure.

Originally Posted by sheps

Just because they were once here is no reason in my books to bring them back, we simply don't need them and they will bring no benefit to the average Scot. I mean would you bring back dinos if you could? After all they were here first too.

It would solve the overcrowding issue

[sheps]

It would solve the overcrowding issue [/quote]

lol

[canny]

I don't think he has any intention of releasing Rhino, he went to Africa just to get ideas from the model they used out there and how it would work in Scotland with Scotlands native animals.

[Rob_D]

I for one applaud Paul Lister's efforts in stiring up the debate. Whether or not his current plans are practical is another matter. I agree that the area is much too small, but there is plenty of land that will become available once the politcal will is there.

Fear of the carnivores themselves is the least valid of any of the reasons not to re-introduce them. The fear is real enough, but the threat is minimal - you are at much more risk from dogs and cows. Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe

[Jim Ford]

The _real_ 'Monarch of The Glen' is the midge, and always will be!

Jim

[Paul64]

I seem to have missed this debate by more than a few months! However, for what it is worth I think Paul's idea is a good one. I live in Transylvania and walk daily in the Eastern Carpathian mountains. I live in the village of Ojdula in the foothills of the Vrancea. We have a big population of wolves and bears and never once have I felt under threat. You would be lucky to ever see a wolf let alone be attacked by one. However, livestock may be another issue! There are some dangers associated with bears, especially when they are startled or have young cubs with them. There are certain measures you can take to reduce the risk of such an encounter, but I will leave that for another thread!

Is a fence around his 25 000 acre estate a good idea? I think he started building that fence to reduce public fear. But yes the fence is a must. Wolves especially need a vast range and 25 000 acres without one would for sure lead to wandering and mischief with sheep. Would I walk through his fenced estate containing wolves and bears? Yes!