Rewilding; Beavers, Boars & Why Bother?

Imagine, you're on a sunday afternoon stroll and suddenly come across a wolf!?
Rewilding is a huge topic and one I will admit to not know an awful lot about, it can also be a very complicated and scientific topic to try and fully understand... I think we can agree this blog isn't a very academic one; However since the formation of the Rewilding Britain organisation last July, the release of Beavers back into three locations across the UK and the release of George Monbiot's book 'Feral' it has become a hot topic.

rewild

riːˈwʌɪld/

verb

gerund or present participle: rewilding

1. restore (an area of land) to its natural uncultivated state (used especially with reference to the reintroduction of species of wild animal that have been driven out or exterminated).

   "talk of rewilding North America gives some people nightmares of wolves running through the streets of Chicago and of grizzlies in LA"

Rewilding in Britain is about restoring the ecology of this country. It's almost like trying to turn the clocks back to a time where things were slightly more environmentally balanced, there were food chains that worked and didn't result in government funded culls of populations of animals, such as deer which currently have no natural predators. It's also about ensuring we don't lose species to extinction and allow native and adopted creatures to find a home amongst us...

Rewilding Britain

However obviously at the moment unfortunately, there are certain species which rely on human intervention and management to survive and there are landscapes in Britain where intensive re-wilding isn't going to be currently appropriate, for instance this campaign isn't going to result in you finding a wolf in your local pocket park. Britain is a completely changed landscape from the years of endless forest and rural communities, deforestation and the industrial revolution has lead to wide agricultural land use, urban development and the rise of species which have profited from these changes. Therefore it is also important when considering rewilding to find the balance, Britain's green & pleasant land of endless rolling fields is important to us, you could even argue it is part of our natural identity and we don't want to lose it to a boar-filled forested landscape. From this we can understand that rewilding isn't about letting a few boars run wild, it is about every last detail in an ecosystem both plants, animals and tiny microscopic creatures.

Rewilding isn't a new phenomenon there have been many successful re-introductions in previous years such as the Red Kite, Beaver and Osprey, the whole thing is a process and isn't going to happen overnight. It could also happen on a pretty small scale, so its certainly not something to be concerned about! Small scale rewinding ventures such as establishing a meander on a previously straightened section of river, may seem like a tiny or insignificant move in comparison to shipping a Grey Whale from the Pacific to the North Sea but it is these tiny steps which make a difference locally and in turn will create a wider, diverse and connected 'wild-er' environment.

Scottish Beaver Trial-

As I said to start this topic is ginormous! But from what I currently understand, I fully support the re-wilding movement. It can only be a positive to add to our already miraculous countryside, engage more people in nature, all whilst tackling problems such as global warming, carbon storage and the protection of endangered species or those previously extinct to Britain. I'm bound to re-visit this topic at some point in the future, I'd specifically like to go over what possible species we might expect to be reintroduced, so keep your eyes peeled!


MJT

Useful Links
George Monbiot- Feral
Rewilding Britain
Reintroducing beavers in Scotland

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