STAR LETTER: Call of the wild

Wolves could be making a comeback in Britain. The last one was variously reported to have been killed in Killecrankie in 1680, or near the river Findhorn in 1743. However, as if we have been missing them, a scheme has been approved to create a home for wolves in a safari park near Inverness and enthusiasts want to release a number into the wild. Given the history of supposedly captive species escaping – Iron Age pigs from Glen Dessarry and mink from Appin - the chances are they’ll get out anyway. I’m no ecological expert, but I expect the wolves will have a fine time eating deer and sheep. This will open a new dimension to winter mountaineering. Imagine sitting round the bothy fire on a snowy night waiting for companions to arrive – or not – with howls resounding around the hills. Fangs for the memory! Will the BMC participation statement cover this risk under ‘danger of personal injury or death’? And why stop at wolves? Why not bring back the bears? Does the BMC have a position on this? Should we welcome the wild becoming a little wilder, and greater ecological diversity? Or should we be concerned over the potential loss of members?
Geoff Nichols, Summit 49