A petition to save a colony of wallabies on a Loch Lomond island owned by presenter Kirsty Young has gained more than 100,000 signatures. Campaigners claim there are now young joeys on the island of Inchconnachan.
There were initially thought to be seven of the animals on the island, having first been introduced 80 years ago, but breeding has added to the population, reports The Daily Express. The former Desert Island Discs presenter and her husband, Nick Jones, plan to build a holiday lodge on the island.
Mr Jones is the chief executive of Soho House UK and Ms Young was a former BBC journalist who retired due to health reasons. The couple are hoping to create a world-class tourist attraction and habitat.
They plan to build a boat house, paths and a boardwalk - it would involve the demolition of a derelict colonial-style timber bungalow dating from the 1920s. The building was badly damaged by a fire in May.
They also were planning to remove "invasive" or "exotic" species. But opponents to the proposals say it would threaten the island’s ancient woodland and the future of the wallabies.
Campaigner Craig Morrison launched the petition to show there was a public interest in saving the wallabies on Inchconnachan. Mr Morrison criticised Scottish Nature agency NatureScot for “condemning” the wallabies “on little to no evidence”.
He told the Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter : “It is just classic NatureScot taking the easy route of shooting these creatures instead of looking at alternative solutions. In speaking with the head of the Argyll team from NatureScot it was confirmed to me that they still fully intend to carry out the eradication of these amazing animals.
"I then asked why this was the case, I was told it was due to the damage these animals were damaging to the regeneration of the woodland. I, of course, asked if there was any evidence for this as I couldn’t find any studies supporting this publicly."
He was then sent some studies carried out on the subject, including a Herbivore Impact Assessment that he claimed was “entirely subjective” and “opinion based” and that NatureScot was using “Sketchy science”. Mr Morrison raised the planning application with the Scottish Government who said they couldn’t comment on the case as it was a live matter.
However, in certain circumstances, they can get involved if it is in the national interest.
Mr Morrison, said: "Given the wallabies are beloved animals throughout Scotland, the petition has garnered signatures from every parliamentary constituency in Scotland, and the island is situated in a national park, I think there is plenty to qualify it as a matter of genuine national interest."
The wallabies were first introduced to the island 80 years ago by Fiona, Countess of Arran, a member of the Colquhan family who formerly owned the island. The family still owns much of the land around Luss and the west shore of Loch Lomond.
Mr Morrison along with other campaigners submitted documents to the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority raising fears about their future as they are described as an “invasive species”.
A spokesman for NatureScot said: "Early this year, we discussed with the new owners of Inchconnachan how best to protect and enhance this specially-designated woodland habitat, while looking at the impact of herbivores and invasive, non-native species on the island."
Ms Young and Mr Jones were contacted by the Scottish Daily Express for comment.
