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.
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.
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.
Scientists have proposed reintroducing wolves to the Scottish Highlands to provide a predator to the red deer which are eating tree saplings.
Professor Dominick Spracklen told PA that the trees could take in and store 1m tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.
