History and the return of Wolves to the UK - Rewilding Britain

#historyofthewolf #wolvesuk #wolvesbritain #canthewolfreturntotheuk #rewildingbritain #rewildingwolves
History and the return of wolves to the UK - Rewilding Britain
The History of Wolves in the UK
The United Kingdom has lived without large carnivores for many years, and as such residents have become accustomed to an environment without them, and will only perceive wild/or predatory animals as ‘something to be feared’. We have a broken and fearful relationship with wildlife in this country. Unfortunately, like other countries that have persecuted wolves throughout history, the UK ingested folklore tales, as well as inventing them, which brought the image of the wolf as an evil being.
Wolves have inhabited much of the planet, from the arctic to the tropics. They are a very successful predator, and as so were able to thrive in a range of diverse environments. Due to this, after the ice age they crossed lands and evolved easily. The UK was no exception, and skeletal remains can verify this. Early Roman and Saxon chronicles also suggest that wolves were widespread across the UK and indiginous to England and Ireland.
In the encroachment of land, the wolf being an opportunist, would at times prey on ‘mans’ property, thus birthing a conflict and igniting competition, defence and greed. With this domestication of animals, the wolf was persecuted mercilessly, which was mainly driven by myths and folklore portraying the wolf as evil and ‘a pest’.
We need the wolf, it doesn't need us. We need nature, it doesn't need us. Until the UK raises it tolerance and can accept this, and be willing to allow the wolf to take a little, returning the wolf would be a pointless endeavour, and at the expense of the wolf.
References
Artist: Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553)
Title: Werewolf
Date: circa 1512
Medium woodcut Collection
Herzogliches Museum
Canis dirus Leidy, 1858 - fossil dire wolf skeleton from the Pleistocene of North America. (public display, Sternberg Museum of Natural History, Hays, Kansas, USA) Classification: Animalia, Chordata, Vertebrata, Mammalia, Carnivora, Canidae
Date: 13 June 2012, 10:53:41
Source www.flickr.com...
Author: James St. John
Library reference: ICV No 22027
Photo number: V0021608
Full Bibliographic Record: catalogue.wellc...
Source/Photographer
wellcomeimages...
Gallery: wellcomeimages...
Wellcome Collection gallery (2018-04-06): wellcomecollec... CC-BY-4.0
Anglo-Saxon wolf hunt with wolfhounds
Date: 1859
Source: The British wolf-hunters: A Tale of England in the Olden Time (a novel)
Author: Thomas Miller
By Unknown author - www.bl.uk/manus..., Public Domain, commons.wikime...
Date: 1897
Source: www.flickr.com...
Source book page: archive.org/st...
Author: Internet Archive Book Images
By Photographed by en:User:Geogre, original author, monastic scribes in Peterborough - English Wikipedia, Public Domain, commons.wikime...
Public Domain, commons.wikime...
By Unknown author - Sedilia at Westminster Abbey, erected during the reign of Edward I (1272- 1307), Public Domain, commons.wikime...
Author: Eric Gaba (Sting - fr:Sting)
Polychrome painting of wolf in the Font-de-Gaume cavern.
Français : Relevé de peinture polychrome de loup dans la grotte de Font-de-Gaume.
Date:1915
Source: Men of the old stone age : their environment, life and art
Author: drawing by Henri Breuil, published by Henry Fairfield Osborn
wildlifecoexis...
Garry Marvin - Wolf
Jim Crumley - The last wolf

[@redwillowofdreams8931]

The fact that there are no wild wolves in the UK right now is an atrocity. This makes me furious.

[@olivermharris_]

We killed them all. John Harrington killed the last one 600 years ago and declared victory over the white haired menace.

[@redwillowofdreams8931]

Well, curse him specifically I guess. It would be nice if they got some American wolves and introduced them there

[@ProjectDarkWolf]

The British Isle wolf was (I've heard) morphologically more similar to C.l arctos than its closer European cousins, which I'd imagine suggests it was a very distinct subspecies in its own right. It's a pity that even a successful reintroduction would not bring back our endemic wolf.

[@AnimalEducate]

Really? that's interesting.

[@madoxxxx06]

Rwanda is far smaller and more densely populated than the UK, but we have three national parks that house Elephants, Buffalos, Hippos, Gorillas, Lions, Hyenas, leopards, Chimpanzees, Leopards and giraffes to name a few. The

[@AnimalEducate]

Thanks for your comment :)

[@Sksk27547]

Wolves maybe kill the wild dogs, if they were put in Africa.

[@madoxxxx06]

@@Sksk27547 we do not have wolves in East Africa, and they wouldn't survive here, Hyenas, Leopards, Lions, would eat them for lunch, Wild Dogs are unfortunately diminishing in numbers but we are working on that. We are the only continent to still have all our megafauna, that's why all the world comes here for Safari's

[@lightningboltt5437]

I will probably be dead before wolves return to the uk

[@michaelarden21]

Probably not until all humans are, and after the next glaciation when the North Sea will again be frozen over and this island is again joined to the European mainland. Bring it on!

[@AnimalEducate]

Perhaps not....

[@craigh2205]

probably will be at least another 100 years before they reintroduced

[@Pompeyfun]

Let the wolf go to Scotland Highlands keep the work

[@tbone8129]

I say just bring them back, British farmers can just adapt like farmers in other European countries

[@AnimalEducate]

They should adapt but let's face it we would have a lot of angry people on our hands and who will they take it out on? yep... the wolves. It would be unethical to reintroduce them now. I do believe we should aim for this though! progress is being made and attitudes are changing just not fast enough. Perhaps you are right.... but I would hate for the wolf to suffer.

[@satiricwriter]

It may take LOTS of time, paperwork, locations, agreements, restrictions on hunting/poaching, farm relocating and preserving but im hopeful. I might not live long enough to see it, but i think if we give this a shot it might work out. If my country had wild wolves again, I'd die a happy old lady, instead of a depressed young person thinking the world is a very dull and hard place to exist in

[@AnimalEducate]

You sound like me!

[@Weirdisjustabrownandyellowword]

@@AnimalEducateAnd me.

[@dustibecker4233]

Well, we even have difficulty protecting them in Yellowstone. The yabow hunters unethically hunt habituated wolves when packs follow the elk herds out of the park each year. Yellowstone badly needs a buffer zone around it on public lands to prevent these unethical hunts. Anyway, come see our wolves and support them paying their way in our first national park. Cheers!

[@deannelson9565]

They dont need a buffer zone there are 20 times more wolves outside of the park then in it.

[@deadeyeduncanfromkotor7836]

@@deannelson9565 lool

[@robertclarke7848]

Fascinating. Maybe it's time all farmers added Irish wolfhounds and Scottish deerhounds to their pack as well as regular sheepdog. That way if a wolf was to come in contact with a herd, they have trained animals ready to fight them off

[@AnimalEducate]

Lots of non lethal methods to manage wolves :)

[@robertclarke7848]

@@AnimalEducate true, true. I was just thinking of a way that farmers could put their minds at ease. I agree though with what you're saying

[@kingslots9134]

There's no wolves. That's wat docco was about. Other countries use kangal, cane corso or donkeys. They been doing this for centuries. Wat you said is dumb.

[@tylerkong4940]

@@AnimalEducate we have to hunt wolves because that it the only reason they fear humans. They don’t naturally fear humans because physically, we are inferior to them in every way and would make easy prey. Wolves don’t attack people because they have been hunted for century’s but if you introduce wolves that have never had a fear of people, that could end badly.

[@davidlloyd2225]

0:04 my wolves...saxon/celt...cherokee/kikapoo....amongst others...peace ❤ 0:52

[@borissavic4176]

The wolf would be a viable predator to have again in the UK and Ireland. I've noticed that the islands hold a couple of deer species, but none of which a fox or badger could take down if they even tried.

[@e9cw196]

Yeah, I think our 2 main options are wolves and lynx, both can take down deers easily.

[@connorcolquhou5845]

I live in the woods here in western Canada. And you got to watch your back out here with those big predators. But it's the predators that live around towns and cities that you have to worry about because they loose their natural fear of humans. And Britain has plenty of people with pockets of wildlife so it could turn into a dangerous situation.

[@connorcolquhou5845]

We have Wolverines here and they do a good job at staying clear of people. But they will take down a deer believe it or not.

[@theotheseaeagle]

I think a fox could potentially take down an adult muntjac but it would be pretty difficult

[@diongibbs312]

@@theotheseaeagle wolves are far bigger and stronger than Foxes and pact hunt.

[@heartstrummer]

very informative

[@JonathonMitchell-ig4bv]

I just wanna say, welcome back wolf pack

[@williambuchanan77]

Once our society drastically reduces its need for meat and wool farmers are going to be extremely opposed to the return of the wolves. Farmers who grow crops would probably welcome them due to the fact that deer tend to find their crops rather tasty.

[@razworthers_3601]

Love this women. Abbey looking stunning keep up the hard work.

[@AnimalEducate]

Thank you so much!

[@ferodrigues1211]

Make Europe wild again.

[@AnimalEducate]

Yes!

[@marzouk6270]

Yup

[@marzouk6270]

The Earth*

[@dustibecker4233]

Fascinating!

[@TgamerBio5529]

We got so many damn deers in 🇬🇧 I would love to see the wolfs return the lack of predators. There plenty of food for them to eat while healing land. I feel sorry for the 🐺 return them back to the 🇬🇧. We need variety here!!!

[@justsomerandombirdwithinte5896]

Yeah, all of the deer are eating the plants, we would have a much more vibrant countryside and woodland if the wolves were reintroduced.

[@justsomerandombirdwithinte5896]

@Elesandra Ele ah yes, wolves are totally known to come near humans and enter villages, sure. Are you an idiot?

[@justsomerandombirdwithinte5896]

@Elesandra Ele plus, any positives outweigh the very small amount of negatives

[@justsomerandombirdwithinte5896]

@Elesandra Ele failed to respond? to what comment?

[@dustibecker4233]

Reduce human numbers and concentrate humans in urban areas and restore the wild?

[@alasdairgibb2596]

This is happening right now in Continental Europe. People are moving into towns and cities and the countryside is steadily emptying. As a consequence wolf populations are recovering quickly in many countries. Spain, Poland and Romania for example have over 2500 wolves each - and even France and Germany are being recognised fast.

[@TheTrickshot77]

This girl has never stood infront of a wild wolf.

[@khanimran7465]

The wolf was doomed once agriculture started it did not stand a chance There a very beautiful animal a real shame we Cant co exit with nature

[@zedddddful]

This is an uphill battle it's like when I make the case for protecting sharks people need to understand they are important for balance.

[@Sksk27547]

I live in America. We have wolves over here. The state of Wyoming has given ranchers the right to shoot any they see near their fences. This has decreased their numbers. They still do exist though. Wolf pelt is more valuable than many other furs. [October10,2023]

[@jamesbohlman4297]

Abbey, if you can put together a buy out for several large landowners in the Scottish Highlands, then you could have something akin to Yellowstone at a lower altitude which could also include productive Salmon runs and Grizzly bears.

[@Sksk27547]

I live in America. We got grizzly bears. They can kill people easily. I like seeing them though. If your planning on visiting, keep your distance when seeing them.

[@cosmic4037]

I befriended wolves, at first they run away once they know your there. They can make noises and follow you off their territory. Slow movements as they smell, they are very strong and will snap if you move quickly. I would howl with them and became part of the pack. Always aware that they can be dangerous, if you step over the line. Trust can be built they will be curious and nervous. I recommend you leave them alone.

[@gregoakley2619]

lovely stuff

[@billpotter7162]

If wolves are anything like the Eastern Coyotes here in the States you don't want them back. They eat cats and dogs and sometimes attack children.

[@justsomerandombirdwithinte5896]

Uhh no, wolves would attack deer, preventing overgrazing, and it would be good if they attacked the children stupid enough to wander into a forest alone.

[@sonycarp8271]

Not watched the vid, but let sleeping dogs lie, would be trouble in my eyes, 🧐

[@hyenaboy7504]

How would a restored ecosystem be "trouble"? I take it you WANT the deer to overpopulate?

[@MrGerrards23]

We need all animals back but good luck getting the drones of humanity to think anyother way. And humans are the issue and the issues are worse now

[@bigmeeps1239]

Yes I agree wolves should come back to UK especially Scotland

[@markorollo.]

I'm in Oldham not far from Saddleworth Moors, that would be a good area for them, I think, and finally give me a reason to go to Saddleworth....

[@simonsteers142]

Wise words, I wish more people had this knowledge.

[@KnownasNA]

WHEN THE F WILL THEY REINTRODUCE WOLVES THEY'RE TAKING THE MICK. LIKE WHY EVEN TALK ABOUT IT IN THE FIRST PLACE I'M DONE.

[@rogersmith8339]

Wolves are big and predatory, just ask farmers in many parts of Europe.

[@SnakePlisskin.]

This is really good news i hope they thrive...Like the wild cat in Scotland would love to see there no's increase....

[@davidlloyd2225]

0:05 i have 4 spirit 1 soul and 2 are wolves❤️🇬🇧💯 0:39

[@Viscount_Castlereagh]

And what will happen when humans start to get mauled to death by packs of wolves?

[@AnimalEducate]

Hello, thanks for your comment. That wouldn’t happen. I’ve made a film addressing this misconception of wolves and interviewed many people that have studied wolves extensively. kzbin.info/www/bejne/raOkn32AbMh4l9k

[@SharonOBrienMusic]

wolves seem to be very partial to dogs to kill and eat, theres lots of footage on youtube of wolf packs coming into back yards and farm land and taking dogs as do coyotes.. i doubt a hiker would survive if they crossed the path of the wolf pack.. as they are opportunistic and defenders of their territory.

[@janbaranski9022]

Our nature is not that bad stop being negitive

[@watchfan6180]

Lynx cat is ok, but bears and wolves are dangerous to humans

[@Hello-hz7gj]

Wolves aren't dangerous, they're just dogs. There was a guy in Spain, Marcos Rodriguez Pantoja, that was accepted by wolves in their pack when he was 7 years old.

[@davidpenney2334]

Houses everywhere now...every few hundred yards a new housing estate springs up.....Make some wolves houses....

[@franksteffen1961]

It would be the greatest stupidity of all to release wolves in UK. In Germany the spread has been allowed - a fatal mistake, a lot of cattle and pets are killed.

[@pugman1543]

I moved to germany in 92 shortly after wolves have benn introduced now they live in the woods 2 kilometer from my house ,of course sheep get hit by the wolves greedy man took to much and keeps on .it should stop and let all native wildlife back .

[@BOBMARLEYY007]

At the end she’s looks like wolf.

[@craigh2205]

people will always hate/fear wolfs and the reason people turned against wolfs is because when they did attack people in the old days it was mainly kids who they attacked back then and with the remoteness off village s back then rumours would have changed to be worse and kept spreading with people believing everything they heard, lynx have never killed any body i think so they r more likely to have the best future in the uk bears r to big

[@רועילוי-ט6ו]

I hope u.k bring back links bear wolves.

[@Masked_One_1316]

Yes! If we act scared of the wolf their animalistic nature will take hold if we try to scare them away then they’ll be scared and next time they see their family they’ll tell them us humans are dangerous and they’ll protect themselves and their kids form us just as we protect our kids buuuut if we just accept they’re there and move on with our day they won’t see us as a threat so they won’t attack or growl at us they’ll move on with their day.

[@alexandarvoncarsteinzarovi3723]

Look at it this way, no more hobos

[@justsomerandombirdwithinte5896]

We should reintroduce wolves to try and prevent overgrazing.

[@lightningboltt5437]

Can you do how modi is helping the environment

[@AnimalEducate]

Link me to helpful articles etc :)

[@robbo03]

Bring back bears too. Start by reintroducing them in the Scottish Highlands.

[@jeremybrandt5779]

Shame on you Brits for letting this beautiful animal go extinct. Even here in Florida we managed to save our panthers

[@eamonlyons8318]

Simple, people may need more guns for the safety precautions.

[@firelordsusan555]

So we destroyed our beautiful forests to destroy an awesome creature that is deeply tied to our culture and ancestry, yuk can we go back to when it was good?

[@riverhuntersuk7387]

Will never happen, we dont have the wide open spaces for it.

[@justsomerandombirdwithinte5896]

Except for all of the wide open space in the highlands.

[@riverhuntersuk7387]

@@justsomerandombirdwithinte5896 Wolves hunt across 100s of miles you cant put them on the Highlands and expect them to stay there.

[@justsomerandombirdwithinte5896]

@@riverhuntersuk7387 We do actually have the wide open spaces for it, you just dont want the land to heal from centuries of overgrazing.

[@riverhuntersuk7387]

@@justsomerandombirdwithinte5896 You dont know anything about me. Im all for wolves coming back id absolutely love it. Wolves are my favourite animal and ive been canada and Alaska and seen them in the wild. The fact of thr matter is I obviously know Wolves better than you do and know this is easier said then done.

[@justsomerandombirdwithinte5896]

@@riverhuntersuk7387 lmao butthurt much?

[@dalethornton2746]

Wolves allowed back on the prairie. Sounds like a willie willie good idea.

[@donnachadhmccarthy7344]

hey what a defeatist human-centric conclusion... with the will, we can certainly return the wolf to wild areas like the Highlands etc

[@smashmash2714]

great video, but the truth is the uk is nearly as highly polulated as india 230people per sq km. in order to have wild spaces we cant produce as much food which means less people. it would be great if we could have wild spaces and wolves not persecuted i agree but i think those times have passed. obviously they would take livestock which farmers would be unhappy about. great video though and an honest aproach i hope it could be possible someday

[@AnimalEducate]

Thank you for your comment - I appreciate it! x