A moose in the glen

[jojo]

Natural World, on BBC 2 tonight at 8pm. A look at the effort of a landowner in Scotland to "re introduce" extinct species there, such as wolves, bears, wild cats and now moose. Not everyone like what he is doing, or trying to do, because the animals aren't really free, but within an electrified fence, however big the park is.

So are these the first steps to real re introduction or someone who fancies a zoo and keeping hikers off "his" land??

 

[Matt Weir]

Thanks for that jojo

 

[bothyman]

If you miss it, it's usually repeated on Sunday ??? In Scotland anyway.

I missed the Reindeer Girls and watched it online, then realised it was repeated on Sunday so watched it again.

Strange thing is I enjoyed it both times .

 

[jojo]

Sorry guys, this is on on Wednesday, not today like I thought this morning!

 

[spamel]

Not too bad a thing, as I would have missed Johnny Kingdom who is on at that time on BBC2!

 

[Shambling Shaman]

On a Les Stroud episode he said that moose can be deadly in the mating season

 

[fishy1]

I'm pro reintroducing these species. Would control the deer and bring tourists. Wolves, bears and moose may occasionally kill/injure people, but I think the benifits outway the risks.

If he does it, I'd definately like to go in there and walk around, right to roam etc.
How much land did he have for it anyways?

 

[jojo]

I think the first phase, is 23000 acres to be increased to 50000. It has to have electric fences all the way around to keep the animals in At least it would be a beginning to re introducing animals. Maybe it will give time to people to get used to the idea, slowly. Perhaps it would feel less threatening to Mr & Mrs Joe public

 

[bothyman]

That's one way to put an end to the right to roam.

 

[jojo]

That's one way to put an end to the right to roam.

I gather that's an other side of the argument, that this guy has tried for years to keep people off "his land" and that he is doing this to achieve that aim. I don't know. Seem a rather extreme and expensive way to achieve this aim if that what it is! Also, I think he is hoping that other estates would follow his example if he is successful....

 

[BorderReiver]

IMO the guy is trying to establish an adventure playground.

By all means reintroduce previously local species but forget the fence.

If the animals can survive with minimal impact on the local population,all well and good.

I feel that bears are a step too far. The rest of the species would keep out of the way of humans but there will be enough numpties to feed the bears and attract them to car parks,picnic areas and the like.

The highlands are one of our last bastions of wilderness; I don't like the idea of some rich landowners turning the area into a wildlife theme park.

 

[andy_e]

I feel that bears are a step too far. The rest of the species would keep out of the way of humans but there will be enough numpties to feed the bears and attract them to car parks,picnic areas and the like.

I agree, but only because there aren't enough numpties to feed to the bears

 

[bothyman]

Well I suppose it beats a windfarm ???????/

 

[jojo]

Well I suppose it beats a windfarm ???????/

Probably will need the wind farm to feed the electric fence!! Mustn't give him ideas

 

[bothyman]

>> http://www.alladale.com/wilderness-reserve/

Not really taken much notice of this, maybe because its just down the road .
But it looks like Glenmor towards Deanich Lodge.
I know Alladale Bothy is now a house again ,they put in a planning application for a hydro plant in the burn.
But if this comes off it could mean Glenbeg Bothy is out of bounds.

Memories of getting to the bothy in the fading light to find the burn was swollen, it would have been fine but I had to cross it to get to the bothy.
It was freezing cold night, then the next day I went down Glenmor in blazing sunshine.

 

[fishy1]

There's no way I'd be kept out by an electric fence.

Windfarms I don't mind either, not exactly traditional, but reasonable to look at.

 

[Angus Og]

It surprise me that some people think they are going to see these animals for free.

He believes his Scottish "Big Five" species could attract high-paying guests who would be willing to pay up to £20,000 for a week at Alladale Lodge. Day trippers would also be welcome, provided they paid for the privilege. They would be offered conducted tours by rangers.

Taken from here

 

[fishy1]

The fact he expects payment is a joke. I'm sure many would start carrying wirecutters in their packs though in case they got caught on the fence.

 

[spamel]

Well, it was an interesting and thought provoking programme. I totally disagree with charging money for people to go in and view the animals, after a length of time it would be nice to think that the fence would come down and the animals would be free to roam across the Highlands. Bears, IMO is going too far, but wolves, like I have said before, will not attack a healthy human being. That is a misconception, they don't work that way. They would be a great control for the various introduced species as well as the deer.

What the bloke is doing is a great idea, but he is tied up in red tape and no matter what he does, somebody objects! He didn't want a fence, but the locals were worried about the wolves getting onto their land. He hasn't even got any wolves yet! I reckon he should be given some sort of scientific excemption so that studies can be put into place and the impact, or lack thereof, of these animals can be studied to the benefit of Scotland being re-wilded. It's time that different people stopped lamenting the idea and see it for the good idea it is.

I understand access is gonna be the biggest problem, I'm on the side of people who want the access. There should be gates that can be used by Joe Public with signs stating that by entering you do so at your own risk. Maybe the gate could be secured with a phone going back to a base of operations where they buzz you in through the gate like they do in flats. This way, they knbow you have come in and they know you have done so of your own free will. If you get eaten by a startled moose, it's your own problem!

 

[ANDYRAF]

I think the concept of what he wants to do is fine, but think he would have been better of trying it on an island rather than in the highlands. Some where more remote and less likely to impact on lives and rights of the public would have been a better choice.