Wolf
The controversial project on the Alladale Estate have already seen European elk and wild boar being kept in enclosures on the estate near near Ardgay. If granted, the proposed zoo licence would allow the estate to add wildcat and wolves to those animals.
Whilst these creatures have not lived wild in Scotland for thousands of years, the Alladale plans do not extend to wilderness re-introduction like that being piloted with the Scottish Beaver Project, rather the animals will be kept in large enclosures. Paul Lister, who bought the Estate in 2003, has previously said his plans extend to keeping brown bears, lynx and bison on his land.
The Northern Times reports that Highland Council has received a “Notice of Intention” from Alladale Wilder-ness Reserve as required under the Zoo Licencing Act 1981. That Notice of Intention is now also available for members of the public to read.
In background papers lodged with the local authority, estate manager Hugh Fullerton-Smith states: “The Alladale Wilderness Reserve facility will be unlike any present conventional UK zoo, both in types of enclosures it uses and ways in which only a limited number of resident visitors and environmental education groups will view the animals.”
The application is to keep three European wolves and eight European wildcats on the estate along with another six wild boar and two elk.
The animals will be housed in three separate fenced areas each of which will contain animal accommodation, management facilities and service buildings. The highest fence – a two-metre high deer fence – will surround the European elk enclosure. The wolves will be fed on a range of “natural” carcasses and game off-cuts.
Only guests staying at Alladale will be allowed on to the wilderness reserve. The maximum number of visitors on the reserve will be limited to 35, although school parties are expected to increase that number to around 70 on some days.
The papers state: “Visitor access to the wolf enclosure will be from the service road through a locked gate and along a fenced footpath and across a bridge to a roofed viewing area.”
Access issues on the estate has previously caused concern to bodies representing walkers and access issues. Fenced enclosures obstructed access to certain areas of the estate which has also seen large lengths of bulldozed tracks being constructed since 2003. Highland Council say that there will be a public consultation period before the zoo licence application is determined.