Land of the Lost Wolves - BBC

[snozz]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01fnfrc/Land_of_the_Lost_Wolves_Episode_1/

Just saw the tail end of this tonight so catching up on iPlayer - some stunning scenery - and Americans putting hunting rights over the rights of wolves ... they are not part of the natural order of things apparently ... hmmm!

 

[WULF]

I watched this last night,second part tonight at 9pm BBC1.

 

[treadlightly]

Yeah, will watch tonight too. I remember that Scottish cameraman on the trail of tigers in Bhutan.

 

[Savagewolfrm]

Bloody Americans and there hunting ideals the wolf has every right to make a comeback drives me mad when they blame the wolf for all the attacks

 

[cbr6fs]

Fantastic, really enjoyed that thanks for posting.

 

[santaman2000]

Bloody Americans and there hunting ideals the wolf has every right to make a comeback...

Agreed. BTW, how are the plans going to re-introduce wild wolves and bears into the UK?

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Agreed. BTW, how are the plans going to re-introduce wild wolves and bears into the UK?

I don't think there was any plan to re-introduce bears into the UK though there was talk about releasing wolves into the Highlands of scotland basically to control the red deer numbers... ..It's unrealistic though, firstly because wolves won't stay in any alloted area, secondly, the risk to livestock & pets would be too great & thirdly,local mentalities.just look at what's happening in Wyoming, Idaho & Montana.
Personally I don't think it's a good idea, there is no longer the space nor any natural enviroments left in the UK for such animals & the wolves will end up on stainless steel autopsy tables.


Incidently folks outside the UK can't use the link.....hopefully a bright spark will upload the whole program on Youtube later on.

 

[Limaed]

Don't be so sure this place:http://alladale.strattons.com/ is making big efforts to create a natural wilderness reserve. I visited the estate recently to climb some hills and it's pretty remote (for the UK at least). Large parts of the forest are fenced off sadly, although to be fair that's not uncommon in the Highlands. The amount of reforestation is very impressive though. There has been a fair bit of argument already as the owner has stated he would like to return wolves to the estate but I think has bowed to public pressure at this time.

 

[santaman2000]

I don't think there was any plan to re-introduce bears into the UK though there was talk about releasing wolves into the Highlands of scotland basically to control the red deer numbers... ..It's unrealistic though, firstly because wolves won't stay in any alloted area, secondly, the risk to livestock & pets would be too great & thirdly,local mentalities.just look at what's happening in Wyoming, Idaho & Montana.
Personally I don't think it's a good idea, there is no longer the space nor any natural enviroments left in the UK for such animals & the wolves will end up on stainless steel autopsy tables...

LOL. Sorry. I wish there was a sacasm font so my meaning would have been clearer. But thanks for your post; you made my point for me.

I too wish for the return of native wolves. Unfortunately those that were seeded and are now successfully repopulating in The states you mentioned aren't the same wolves that were eradicated over a century ago. They're a Canadian wolf that's much, much larger. And as far as repopulating the Southern Red Wolf that once roamed here in the Southeast, well there are barely any left in captivity and none in the wilds (none verified anyway, although some are suspected) Frankly in some cases I think the wolf population would displace the invasive coyote population which has expanded to EVERY state now. I personally would much rather have the wolves thatn the coyotes. But then again, I'm not an Idaho rancher.

 

[santaman2000]

Don't be so sure this place:http://alladale.strattons.com/ is making big efforts to create a natural wilderness reserve. I visited the estate recently to climb some hills and it's pretty remote (for the UK at least). Large parts of the forest are fenced off sadly, although to be fair that's not uncommon in the Highlands. The amount of reforestation is very impressive though. There has been a fair bit of argument already as the owner has stated he would like to return wolves to the estate but I think has bowed to public pressure at this time.

Sounds good but remember what you might call remote and what a wolf considers adequate might not be the same. A wolf pack roams a hunting area of hundreds of miles. And if they are successful the packs will multiply and expand their territory. Fences mean nothing to wolves; my pet wolf/malamute mix used to go under or over them at will until she learned I didn't want her to. She had no problem digging 20 feet or more (granted the soil here is relatively easy to dig) But a wild wolf with no domestic mix and no human training doesn't care what I (or any human) wants.

 

[Limaed]

Sounds good but remember what you might call remote and what a wolf considers adequate might not be the same. A wolf pack roams a hunting area of hundres of miles. And if they are successful the packs will multiply and expand their territory.

Totally agree. I think the reason it hasn't happened is the neighboring estates complained to the owner that it will impact their livelihoods.

 

[cbr6fs]

There are supposedly around 800 wolves roaming around Central and Northern Greece, although I've travelled, hiked, camped in that area a fair bit I've never seen or even heard any yet.

Oddly enough though we have come across a brown bear which is supposedly a lot rarer.

 

[santaman2000]

I cain't link to the site the OP posted so I don't really know what the program said. I might say though that IF it alluded to hunting the wolves, well, that was one of the reasons they were oiginally proposed to be re-introduced; to eventually produce a sustainable, harvestable (huntable and trappable) population.

 

[Robbi]

yep, hunting wolves is now legal, one thousand licences have been issued. ( Idaho, Washington, and one other ) Obama passed the law.

Did anyone catch the wolf hating bloke at the rodeo ?........you'd never tire of beating that bloke with a number 1 stick.

 

[santaman2000]

yep, hunting wolves is now legal, one thousand licences have been issued. ( Idaho, Washington, and one other ) Obama passed the law...

LOL. You mean he "signed" it. Presidents cain't pass laws, they can only veto them or sign their assent to what Congress and the Senate pass. And even with a veto, The legislature can over-ride it if they have a 2/3 majority. That is to say that's the way it WOULD have happened IF it had been a national law.

The hunting seasons/limits are matters dealt with at the state level (unless it involves migratory animals and/or international treaties) So the indivudual states passed the hunting laws. Neither Obama nor the national congress/senate were involved. Although some conservation groups did sue the US Fish and Wildlife Service to try to force them to intervene claiming that the wolves should still be classed as "endangered." The courts disagreed.

 

[santaman2000]

...Did anyone catch the wolf hating bloke at the rodeo ?........you'd never tire of beating that bloke with a number 1 stick.

I didn't see it but if it was at a rodeo, then there's a good chance he is in or has family in the ranching business. If so he has good reason to hate wolves. I don't, but then again, as i said I'm in Florida now. If I were still out West I'd probably feel differently. A healthy wolf pack (the wolves in question average over 100 pounds each) doesn't eactly hunt the weakest or slowest. It hunts whatever It d*** well pleases. Up to and including domestic livestock and some have been caught following kids sledding downhill near homes already.

 

[Gordo-uk]

really enjoyed it, worth watching on the Iplayer

 

[Tengu]

How much does a wolf licence cost these days?

 

[santaman2000]

How much does a wolf licence cost these days?

I looked up the Idaho Fish and Game site, and found the price of a general hunting/fishing combination license (allows small game hunting and fishing for 1 year for an adult) is $33.50; there are discounted prices for seniors or youth and there are lifetime license options. Also these prices are for residents (nonIdaho residents pay a higher price) Once you get a general license then you need your big game tag. The fee schedule follows and wolf is at the bottom:


Black Bear - Adult $ 11.50

Black Bear - Adult Second
$ 11.50

To be used only in designated units, NOT Statewide.

Black Bear - Jr/Sr/DAV
$ 6.75

Valid with senior combination license (age 65 or older), senior hunting, junior combination, junior hunting and disabled combination class V.

Black Bear - Jr/Sr/DAV - Second
$ 6.75

To be used only in designated units, NOT Statewide.

Deer - Adult
$ 19.75

Deer - Jr/Sr/DAV
$ 10.75

Valid with senior combination license (age 65 or older), senior hunting, junior combination, junior hunting and disabled combination class V.

Elk - Adult
$ 30.75

Elk - Jr/Sr/DAV
$ 16.50

Valid with senior combination license (age 65 or older), senior hunting, junior combination, junior hunting and disabled combination class V.

Mountain Lion - Adult
$ 11.50

Mountain Lion - Adult Second
$ 11.50

To be used only in designated units, NOT Statewide.

Turkey - Adult Extra
$ 12.25

Turkey - General
$ 19.75

Turkey - Jr./Sr./DAV
$ 10.75

Turkey - Jr./Sr./DAV Extra
$ 10.75

Wolf
$ 11.50

 

[ged]

Have I understood this? You can pay the government forty dollars to go and shoot a bear?