Climbers tell of concerns over wolves on estate

MOUNTAINEERS have raised concerns over a Highland estate's plans to apply for a zoo licence to allow it to keep wolves and other wild animals.

The Alladale Estate in Sutherland announced in December that it was to apply to Highland Council within two months for the licence.

It is the latest move by estate owner Paul Lister, who plans to release a series of wild animals in enclosures on the 23,000-acre estate where he wants to create a wilderness reserve.

European elk and wild boar are already housed in enclosures at Alladale. If the licence is granted, they will be joined by eight European wildcats and three European wolves.

The plan has concerned walkers and conservation bodies, and yesterday the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, which represents 10,000 members, said it would be making representations to the local authority.

Hebe Carus, access and conservation officer for the MCofS, said: "We have grave concerns about where this is heading."

She said the regulations governing zoos and access rights under the Land Reform legislation did not go together.

"Zoo licences are primarily about animal husbandry, and there is not a requirement to take into consideration things like access and conservation as generally zoos have been set up in cities."

Reserve manager Hugh Fullerton-Smith said: "Out of the 23,000 acres we have at Alladale, we have no more than 520 acres in enclosures, so there is hardly likely to be any restrictions on access through the estate."