Red deer
Britain’s largest land mammal courts its fair share of controversy. Some say that in the absence of natural predators, excessive deer numbers are impacting on fragile vegetation. Others retain a more traditional outlook and regard red deer as an integral part of the rural economy. Are there too many? Depends who you’re asking.
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Scottish wildcat
Rarer than a tiger, the Scottish wildcat has become the forgotten cat. Despite huge resources ploughed into conserving other high-profile species, this icon of untameable wilderness has suffered persecution, habitat loss and now, indifference. In a country of cat lovers, is it too late for the Highland Tiger?
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Eagle Island
In 1975 a handful of sea eagle chicks were flown from Norway’s rugged west coast and released on the remote Scottish island of Rhum. For the first time in sixty years, the eagle with the sunlit eye flew free in Scottish skies and now, despite a roller coaster of fortunes, the Hebridean island of Mull is home to Scotland’s hottest wildlife tourism attraction.
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Pine martens
What do we do when a rare predator has a penchant for rare prey? Even worse, if that rare prey has had millions spent on conserving it? Worse still, if the rare prey is furry and cute? Or an icon? Should we control one to protect the other? Is it our responsibility to intervene? Have we the right to make such value-judgements? Well we do…all the time.
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Elk Harvest
Each autumn around 100,000 elk are culled in Norway with the vast majority ending up on dinner plates up and down the country. The annual elk hunt is woven into the fabric of Norwegian rural life and is repeated across its Scandinavian neighbours. Sustainable harvest of natural produce or industrialised slaughter of wild animals? The line is not always as clearly defined as we might imagine...
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Who's afraid?
The wolf, whatever we may feel about it, is a survivor and is finding its way back to parts of Europe where it's not been seen for centuries. There are increasing calls to see the wolf return to Britain but our island status means if we want these animals back we have to pick them up and bring them here. Is this a psychological barrier too far? What would they eat? Are they safe? Why bother?
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The boys are back in town
The residents of Mammoth Hot Springs, a sleepy outpost in Yellowstone, America’s oldest national park, share their oasis with a fifty-strong herd of wild cow elk, or wapiti. The lush green lawns and the reluctance of predators to enter the town make Mammoth a haven for the elegant females who spend the whole year peacefully rubbing shoulders with their human guardians.But come the fall - the annual rutting period for elk - the quiet town is besieged. Testosterone-fuelled bulls arrive seeking female companionship but they don’t come alone. An army of camera-toting tourists who are prepared to risk life and limb to record the event, are in tow. Until recently, the two species co-existed in relative harmony. But things have changed… View images