Disbelief as school lets pupil identify as a WOLF

A Scottish school pupil has been allowed to identify as a WOLF by education bosses in what is thought to be the first case of 'species dysphoria' in the country.

Teachers are said to be supporting the choice of the secondary student.

But the news has been met with shock with one expert saying the pupil involved needs to "snap out of it".

The Daily Mail reports that official documents confirm the move with a council backing the child's choice.

It comes amid claims a growing number of youngsters are taking on the persona of animals.

It has been reported that children are trying to 'identify' as the likes of foxes, dragons, birds, snakes, sharks, and even dinosaurs.

Species dysphoria is defined as a disorder that occurs when someone feels that their body is part of the wrong species.

However, Dunbartonshire-based clinical neuropsychologist Dr Tommy MacKay said there is "no such condition".

He added: "It's not surprising we are seeing this in an age when many people want to identify as something other than who they are.

Now we have a council which appears to accept at face value that a child identifies as a wolf, rather than being told to snap out of it, which would be the common sense approach."

It comes after a school in Aberdeenshire had to deny claims a group of pupils had started identifying as cats and amid a backdrop of fierce debate on gender identity.

The council involved, which has not been disclosed, described the child as being part of a group known as "furries", who create a persona - sometimes called fursona - based on an animal.

In a statement, the local authority said: "Personal support is available through the wellbeing worker, including counselling. There is very little specific guidance on species dysphoria."

The statement said bosses follow the GIRFEC [Getting It Right for Every Child - Scottish Government guidance] and Wellbeing Wheel to "support pupils regardless of barriers to learning or challenges they face". This tool emphasises the need to let children have their voice heard.

The concept of species dysphoria has been around for centuries.

It was mocked in the satirical cartoon South Park when a character underwent plastic surgery to look like a dolphin.

'Furries' are said to hold meet-ups organised on TikTok.

They call themselves 'therians' - a human who identifies as an animal - and pupils have even given tips on 'coming out' to parents.

Many wear animal masks to express themselves. 'Polytherians' identify as multiple species while 'paleotherians' say they have the persona of an extinct creature such as a dinosaur.

Scottish Tory MSP Meghan Gallacher said: "SNP ministers should ensure teachers feel confident they can take a common-sense approach when these situations occur." The Scottish Government did not comment.