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Wolves and Beavers

Mark Devenport | 17:15 UK time, Monday, 23 November 2009

Was Jim Shannon inspired by the recent to ask a question about whether the Environment Minister was aware of any plans to reintroduce wolves and beavers into Northern Ireland as has been the case in parts of Scotland? Edwin Poots responded by saying he has no plans to introduce wolves or beavers.

Given Jim's track record on wildlife, in particular his fondness for shooting doves, one wonders why he's so keen for these furry animals to be returned to the wild. Does he fancy them for target practice?

I have an image in my head of Jim as a character from the children's book, blattering away with his gun at the big bad wolves.

I have to declare an interest - many moons ago I had a small role on the Edinburgh Fringe as "Mr Beaver" in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". So whilst I'd like to seem them re-introduced, I'm not sure about Jim Shannon's intentions.

That circuitous link enables me to recommend a trip through the wardrobe door at which has turned itself into Narnia for the Christmas season. I attended an official launch of the Narnia tour at the weekend, where C.S. Lewis expert, Sandy Smith, pointed out how much County Down meant to the Narnia author. He quoted Lewis's definition of heaven as "Oxford, planted in County Down". As an Oxonian living in Down, you won't find me contradicting that.

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