Call for 'serious debate' on wolf

The last wolf in Scotland was reputedly killed in the 1700s

A "serious debate" has to be held on the potential impact of reintroducing wild wolves to the Scottish Highlands, a UK conservation charity has said.

Richard Morley, of the Wolves and Humans Foundation, has forecast that public support for the move will grow over the next 15 years.

There is already official backing for the reintroduction of wild beavers in Scotland by next year.

Mr Morley said previous talks on wolves had been too "simple or romantic".

The charity - formerly The Wolf Society of Great Britain - is holding an informal, paid-for event in April at Alladale Wilderness Reserve, north of Inverness, which has wild boar and European elk.