.............not all those that wander are lost..............

Saturday 5 February 2011

Walking with wolves...........

Well, x-c skiing actually.

Yesterday my friend Christiane and I were cross country skiing between Abries and Ristolas in the Queyras Park, which is about 40 minutes from here.

Climbing throught the forest alongside the river I saw large dog-like paw prints on the snow beside the ski track. The girl in charge of the pistes came along a little later and asked us if we had noticed the 'wolf' tracks.

A second set joined in a little further on, and the animals appeared to walk beside each other. There were also droppings and urine markers.

Did I get a photo?  Short answer?

No.

8 comments:

Louise said...

Um, a little hair-raising, perhaps?!

afootinthehills said...

Louise - no. Wolves pose no threat to humans despite the myths that are are still out there unfortunately. To see one, let alone two would be unlikely - but a great privilege if you were lucky!

I envy you just seeing the tracks Laura!

Laura said...

I'm still kicking myself for not taking my camera out! These wolves come over the border from Italy to the Queyras Regional Park. The local French farmers tell stories of lambs taken regularly, of course. An inquiry about 4 years ago came to the conclusion there were perhaps two packs living in the French Alps close to the Italian border , that's maybe 58 - 67 individuals. I would love to see one!

Louise said...

I'd love to have seen the tracks myself, I'd rather be in the vicinity of wolves than cows!

Laura said...

Oh Louise - don't mention the 'c' word! It's a small worry I have about doing some of my TGOC route through Perthshire!

afootinthehills said...

Speaking of Italy and wolves Laura, I was at a talk recently about wolves (I'm a bit obsessed by them I suppose!)where one lady came within 20 yards of one while walking in Italy. It was obviously something that made a deep impression on her, in a good way.

What I'd give for that experience..........

They will of course take lambs, but in some countries they protect sheep and livestock by using Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs) that make a lot of noise (and would fight if required) and the wolves generally seem to avoid the confrontation eventually and take prey that's not protected.

Anyway, musn't go on! You are lucky though!

Laura said...

There are always large guardian dogs with the sheep in these parts - called 'pastou'. They are generally large white or pale cream coloured dogs. We come across them frequently when walking on the high pastures in summer. They put themselves between you and the flock and are certainly big enough to do some damage! I imagine a wise wolf would look elsewhere for supper.

afootinthehills said...

Interesting. Thanks.