







DorsetDipper said…

"The reintroduction of wolves has reportedly increased biodiversity within Yellowstone National Park. Along with (and partly because of) an increase in new-growth vegetation, such as aspen and willow trees, which has resulted from the reduction in elk numbers but perhaps more importantly, their dispersal from valley bottoms and open meadows where they grazed collectively and avoided predation from mountain lions and bears prior to the return of wolves. The aspen and willow were able to recover, in part, because not only was the elk population reduced because of predation due to the wolves, but they quit venturing as deep into thickets due to the fear of being attacked by wolves in an area of very low visibility. This process of top predators regulating the lower sections of the trophic pyramid was dubbed, "the ecology of fear" by William J. Ripple and Robert L. Bestcha[9] In addition to the restoration of vegetation several important species such as the beaver (which had also become extinct from the park) and red fox have also recovered, probably due to the wolves keeping coyote populations under control."
Steve Gale said…
Exactly. Wolves it is then...
Gibster said…
Yeah, but those very Yellowstone Wolves are being hunted the moment they set foot outside the park. Which, thanks to increasing pack size, they do quite regularly. I think your point "The biggest problem for such projects to get off of the ground here is getting the public to be at ease with creatures such as the wolf and lynx making a return" should be re-worded to read "the biggest problem for such projects to get off the ground here is getting the animals to be at ease at being returned into a vastly different environment from which their ancestors were forcibly driven" and they were exterminated for reasons which still exist in today's world. It's all good and well to whack a few beavers into a remote, secure lochan in the middle of nowhere. Productivity is low, they haven't been allowed to spread very far. Try containing predators. Far-roaming predators. Big, cunning predators. Not at all sedentary, in fact (have you seen Jurassic Park, lol)

Maybe "wolf moors" or "lynx forests" are the only way forward, in the same vein as grouse moors protect the birds and their habitat (don't get me started on THAT particular subject...)

Hmmm. Wolves. Maybe, just maybe, they could add a much needed spot of interest to Simon King's annual musings on how Cassius was usurped by Caesar before that young whelp Nero burst onto the scene and stole every doe within 5kms.

Enough, I shall return to my bottle of red. Rewilding is a fantastic concept though. I recently attended a recording weekend at Knepp in Sussex, Charlie Burrell is the character behind it all. A thoroughly fun and dedicated chap. His estate is amazing. Rewilding can make such a difference in a just a few short years.
Steve Gale said…
I was hoping for Wolf and Wild Boar on Epsom Common Seth...
Gibster said…
There was a certain Puma that put in a temporary residence on Epsom Common. It kept leaping out and attacking dogs. A police marksman took it out - eventually. Apologies for the above drivel, I was very, very drunk milord ;)

Popular posts from this blog


Where once were terns

Satellite of hope