There is a “strong tourism case” for reintroducing wolves to Ireland, a wildlife expert has claimed. 

Wolves went extinct in Ireland in the 17th century but there has recently been significant debate about whether they should be reintroduced. 

On The Pat Kenny Show, Dr Johnny Hansen the animal’s return could have a profound impact on the Irish landscape. 

“There are often quite small numbers of apex predators in ecosystems but they have this powerful and profound impact on the web of life that cascades down through other species, all the way down to plant communities,” he told report Josh Crosbie. 

“That’s mainly through reducing the number of deer, which have a tendency to eat everything in sight. 

“Although, they are unlikely to be a silver bullet.” 

The European wolf. Picture by: Paul Mayall Wildlife / Alamy Stock Photo

Dr Hansen added that wolves help the economies of the local areas where they are reintroduced. 

“There’s also a strong tourism case,” he said. 

“People will pay to come and see these animals, or at least be in a landscape where they are. 

“There’s also a moral or ethical argument that landscapes are more exciting when we have animals like this in them.” 

A Lynx. Picture by: Alamy.com

Alternatively, the Government could consider reintroducing the lynx - which is much smaller in size than wolves. 

“It’s smaller, it’s solitary, it poses no risk to people,” Dr Hansen said. 

“It does pose some risk to the occasional sheep. 

“People all over the world, including where I’ve worked and travelled, find it easier to live alongside wild cats and big cats even than wild dogs like wolves.” 

European wolves feeding on a fallow deer. Picture by: Alamy.com

Opposition among farmers remains strong and Dr Hansen a significant amount of work will have to be done ahead of any reintroduction of apex predators. 

“The people who will reap the benefits are not necessarily the ones who will live with the cons,” he said.  

“What I mean by that is, when we see these projects happening across the world, it is often city dwellers voting for it or donating to make it happen.

“But it’s often rural and farming communities that have to bear the costs of living with large carnivores.”

You can listen back to the full interview here:

Main image: European gray wolves in Germany. Picture by: Alamy.com