I Saw A Wolf!

[jourdain2]

Just back from a week in the Scottish Borders. We were driving on the B711 (Hawick to Tushielaw) when an animal emerged from the scrubby hedge on the left; looked calmly at us, turned and disappeared back into the greenery I looked directly at it. My first thought was 'That's a huge fox', then 'Wrong colour for a fox' and it gradually dawned on me that it was a wolf. Size of a large-ish dog, wonderful silver-grey coat, pricked ears, bushy tail with a pure white circle of hair at the end. My brain refused to believe it for a while, but we both saw it and it was a wolf! (This was before lunch, no alchohol involved!)

I didn't know that they now roam free in Scotland, I thought that some were kept in large, fenced reserves. Does anyone know? Beautiful animal, quite an experience.

[murraymints]

there have been sightings over the years... private zoos /collectors with escapees ? also reports of large cats particularly in the highlands... incidents of lost sheep etc seem to support the legend...

[whiskeryron]

I do hope that Wolves will be back in the Highlands one day, beautiful creatures.

[douglas9401]

In the Highlands maybe, Jourdain, it would be quite a trek for a loner to make it to the Borders.

Maybe an Alsatian/Lurcher cross slipped its lead?

[Tilly2]

What a lovely experience for you, Jourdain. I think you must have been lucky to see it.

[Tilly2]

Any good to you?

http://www.wolvesandhumans.org/wolves/wolf_reintroduction_to_scotland.htm

[douglas9401]

There's this but it's from eight years ago an still a good bit north of where you describe.



http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/123141/Walker-cries-wolf-after-spotting-strange-beast

[wolf63]

I love them - family orientated animals. We don't officially have Wolves loose in Scotland. I don't know what the law is regarding hybrids - it may be that they need a permit or something to keep them.

It would be great if they could be released up north, but I am not sure that they would be safe from people.

[murraymints]

http://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2009/08/26/8892-1689/

there have been other reports too...a large country estate just up from me is reported to have a wolf or two strolling through... dog walkers have been warned

[Tilly2]

They wouldn't be safe, we all know that. The gamekeepers would do the same to them as they have done to the Hen Harrier.

[murraymints]

we had wallabies on the golf course in Norwich !

[wolf63]

Interesting viewing





The wolves are less of a threat to us than we are to them.

[jourdain2]

Thanks everyone. I do feel privileged.
Douglas, I've had dogs all my life, Mr. J2 adores and kept lurchers. This was not a cross of any sort, I'll vow. There was just something about it and I took some time to convince myself.

Been looking up wolf pictures and I am more certain than ever that it was a wolf, a young-ish one, not quite full-grown. The snout was chiselled perfectly, as were the ears. I can see it now. I'm not supposed to report it am I? I don't want to.

When I lived in France and was troubled by wild boar tearing up my land, I learned that they can travel 30/40Km in one night, so it is quite possible that wolves could have moved from the Highlands over a matter of years.

[webbo3]

Makes the little vixen I feed every night seem quite boring.


Dave.

[wolf63]

Dave - Your little Vixen is beautiful and has soulful eyes.

[jourdain2]

Keep loving your little vixen, Dave. :) My wolf is a couple of hundred miles away.

[Old_Geezer]

That night; was there a full moon ?

[Tilly2]

No.

[webbo3]

Ive just been out to feed her :-)

[Chipchopper]

I wonder if it may have been a dog that looks like a wolf.
However I do remember seeing a documentary about areas of the highlands being fenced off, under a re-wilding scheme. I believe the beaver was reintroduced successfully and there were plans for more reintroductions.

[rowanwitch]

Possibly a wolf hybrid( husky wolf cross ) there are a few in the UK , there are also a few wolf packs in captivity.
Next option for rewilding likely to to be lynx as they are shy and potentially less of a threat to humans