There has been a stir in France with the reappearance of wolves in the mountainous country on their border with Italy. Apparently the invasion or trickle, began a few years ago, and, in spite of the clamour from farmers who have lost sheep (but got compensation), there is a certain, unquantified, satisfaction among the public at this addition to the wildlife of their country. For they are spreading. Nostalgia for the past? Now comes a pamphlet from an Irish academic spending a term in the US. It is from Maine Wolf Coalition. Maine, as you know, is that state way up in the north-east, near enough to Quebec. The organisation is, according to a pamphlet, "dedicated to wolf recovery in Maine through research, education, protection." They state that "a lack of knowledge and understanding and knowledge of wolves is one of the greatest impediments to wolf recovery." MWC will devote much of its efforts to educating Maine's people so that they can make informed decisions regarding the issue. It has been propagating its views in a "wolf display and slide programmes," seen by thousands. "Wolves are protected by state and federal laws but are still killed illegally." As to possible natural recovery, the pamphlet is moderately optimistic that with adequate protection, both in Quebec and Maine, wolves may "recolonise", in their words, portions of Maine and other areas of suitable habitat in north-east US.
There were more than a hundred sightings, they say, in recent times, and in this decade two have been killed. Wolves would feed, the pamphlet says, mostly on moose, deer and beaver. The moose herd is estimated at 35,000, and beaver are at nuisance level. "Allowing the wolf to return to Maine will help to restore the natural predator/prey relationships we destroyed when we exterminated the wolf in Maine." It would seem there is little or no sheep-farming in Maine? In 1997 nearly 80 per cent of those who responded to a public opinion survey expressed support for allowing the wolf to return naturally, and a majority were for bringing back wolves if the natural return proved unlikely to succeed. Is it all a spoof? No. It's an organisation with an address and membership from individuals to businesses.
When and where was the last wolf in Ireland? Take your pick of dates from 1692 to 1786 and many between. Would you like to see the wolf here again? Like Hell!