Scientists have proposed reintroducing wolves to the Scottish Highlands to provide a predator to the red deer which are eating tree saplings. University of Leeds researchers have said that 167 wolves, which have not been seen in Scotland for 250 years, could allow vital tree regeneration to help fight the climate crisis. Professor Dominick Spracklen told PA that the trees could take in and store 1m tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.
“We need to look at the potential role of natural processes such as the reintroduction of species to recover our degraded ecosystems and these in turn can deliver co-benefits for climate and nature recovery.”. While the reintroduction of wolves remains an idea for the moment, there have already been moves to establish populations of other animals that were once native. The birds became extinct in England more than 150 years ago but are now re-established after an intensive effort at Rutland Water - where a 25-year programme has flourished.
Now that 200 chicks have hatched, the bird could well become a common sight once more in other parts of the country. A large-scale tadpole project has helped to increase frog numbers and the species plays an important part in helping the local ecosystem to thrive. A spokesman for the project said: “Wilder Blean aims to bring transformational change through a controlled trial with European bison; a missing keystone species that is able to naturally manage woodlands. Other herbivores including horses, pigs and cattle will be reintroduced to the woodland to restore natural processes and create a thriving mosaic of habitats for wildlife.”.
