By: Erin Poppenga
As recognised by many countries worldwide, ecosystems are deteriorating because of invasive and destructive human behaviour. Ecological conditions can decline when certain species have been extinct from an area for a long time. [1] The ecosystem is out of balance, and ecologists struggle to determine how to make it right. Ecologists have pondered the potential reintroduction of wolves for the ecologically detrimental and ever-expanding population of deer in the United Kingdom.
Wolves have been extinct from the United Kingdom since around 1680 when the last known wolf was shot in the hills of the Scottish Highlands. [2] Wolves were driven to extinction through habitat removal and hunting and were seen as a large threat to farmers and livestock. [3]
Wolves are a keystone predator, as they help to maintain the population sizes of other species, including deer. The United Kingdom has seen its population of deer expand at an alarming and potentially devastating rate since the 1700s. The current population of deer is around 2 million. [4] To keep the population stable at this number and prevent further exponential growth, the United Kingdom would have to cull between 500,000 and 750,000 deer each year. [5] Currently, only approximately 350,000 deer are culled each year, which means they continue to grow at an alarming rate. This is where the re-introduction of keystone predators such as the wolf could come into play.
When deer populations are growing exponentially, they can destroy habitats for other creatures, reduce the diversity of plants, cause vehicle accidents, and even transmit disease. For example, the heavy grazing of deer has been shown to reduce the richness of biological communities and put pressure on trees and shrubs, ground flora, invertebrates, and small mammals. [6] Studies performed at Monks Wood have revealed that even lichens are affected by the changes in habitat. [7] Because the culling of deer by humans appears not to be effective enough, reintroducing wolves to stabilize the deer population could be a reasonable solution.
The United States has maintained wolf and deer populations, but in recent years has faced issues with their coexistence. Wolves have also been returning in other parts of Europe such as Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Italy. [8]Kazakhstan has successfully maintained a steady wolf population over the years, likely in part because most Kazakhs respect the wolf’s value to nature and the steppe ecosystem. [9]
The potential reintroduction of wolves into Scotland has been considered over the years but has failed each time because of political and practical barriers. Ecologists have calculated that Scotland does have room for a significant number of packs. [10] Ultimately, this decision is controlled by political leaders and organizations. Scottish National Heritage is responsible for approving any wolf-reintroduction efforts in Scotland and stated they have no plans to consider wolf reintroduction. [11] In England, wolf reintroduction is subject to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act. Rewilding projects must be approved by local authorities, and individuals must obtain a license by keeping the animal in an enclosed space and maintaining compliance with strict standards. [12] These authorities must be on board with reintroducing wolves to have any chance of re-entry. Additionally, there are continuing conflicts about rewilding between urban and rural locations and left and right groups, which can significantly influence the decisions of the necessary authorities. [13]Concerns about ecological stability seem to be on the back burner to other issues. Wolves are thriving in other parts of Europe, but not in the United Kingdom.
However, there are valid arguments as to why re-introducing wolves could be a risky move. First, they could potentially have a devastating effect on the deer population. Rather than stabilizing the species, wolves could drive deer populations to endangerment or extinction. Second, the impacts on the ecosystem could be detrimental. The United Kingdom has lived without wolves for centuries, and their reintroduction could significantly disrupt the current state of the ecosystem. For example, to resurrect an extinct species, they must be introduced at a large magnitude, which could lead them to become invasive or wipe out native species through predation. [14]
For example, rabbits were introduced into Australia in the late 19th century for hunting. [15] Within 50 years, the non-native species spread across the continent. [16] Ecologists found that their overwhelming numbers led to the destruction of crops and land, reduced native plant species, and contributed to soil erosion. [17] If this species had not been introduced, Australia likely would not have experienced such great environmental damage and costs in attempting to eradicate the rabbits.
Even with the considerations of positive and negative environmental impacts, much of the current beliefs surrounding wolves are based on myths or fabrications, leading to a widespread fear of their introduction. Without public support, it is unlikely that a reintroduction project will ever be underway. Shareholders that oppose conservation interventions can have a significant influence on their implementation. [18] The more a community supports a rewilding project, the more likely they are to share knowledge and attempt to find solutions for common areas of concern. Local attitudes and support towards environmental restoration projects are vital to their success. [19]
There are currently no rewilding projects for wolves in the United Kingdom. It is unlikely that one will ever be underway unless more research is performed on introducing a sample population. Numerous research factors must be considered, such as the effect of reintroducing wolves on people, farmers, and industries, and the potential lack of physical landscape in the UK. The Scottish public has supported wolf reintroduction, except for farmers, who generally have a negative outlook on the concept. [20] This negative outlook is not set in stone, however, and could be changed following the introduction of complete research and thorough planning. [21] Enlisting the support of a relevant authority could help to encourage the research and rewilding project. I hope this fascinating, beautiful, and captivating species will be the subject of official discussions before being ruled out as a potential solution to the United Kingdom’s ecological problems.
[1] Manning, A. D., Gordon, I. J., & Ripple, W. J. (2009). Restoring landscapes of fear with wolves in the Scottish Highlands. Biological Conservation, 142(10), 2314–2321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2009.05.007
[2] Reed, Betsy. (2014, July 21). Was this the last Wild wolf of Britain? The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/science/animal-magic/2014/jul/21/last-wolf
[3] The history of wolves in the UK. Wolves Live. (n.d.). https://wolves.live/the-history-of-wolves-in-the-uk/
[4] Modeling current and potential distributions of mammal species using presence‐only data: A case study on British deer – Scientific Figure on ResearchGate. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Estimated-levels-of-contact-between-British-deer-populations-Maps-showing-current-left_fig4_334407505 [accessed 23 Jul 2024]
[5] Walker, C. (n.d.). Wild Deer Management and Sustainable Food. UK Parliament Hansard. https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2023-02-02/debates/30268888-4F3E-4967-A081-152214508F74/WildDeerManagementAndSustainableFood
[6] Fuller, R. J. (2001). Ecological impacts of increasing numbers of deer in British woodland. Forestry, 74(3), 193–199. https://doi.org/10.1093/forestry/74.3.193
[7] Id.
[8] Hoffman, A. (n.d.). Brief history of wolves in the wild. Mission. https://missionwolf.org/brief-history-of-wolves-in-the-wild
[9] Hays, J. (n.d.). Wolves in Kazakhstan. Facts and Details. https://factsanddetails.com/central-asia/Kazakhstan/sub8_4f/entry-4686.html
[10] Guardian News and Media. (2024, March 10). Wolves are thriving again across Western Europe. is it time to bring them back to the UK?. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/mar/10/derek-gow-the-rewilding-enthusiast-wants-to-bring-back-the-wolf
[11] Reintroducing the Wolf to Scotland. Rewilding Britian. (n.d.). https://ukwct.org.uk/files/reintroducing.pdf
[12] Lifescape. (n.d.). Rewilding in England & wales: Legal guidance notes. England & Wales. https://lifescapeproject.org/rewilding-law/england-wales/
[13] Hancock, A. B. and A. (2024, June 2). Europe’s political divide over the return of wolves. The Irish Times. https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/2024/06/02/europes-political-divide-over-the-return-of-wolves/
[14] Genovesi, P., & Simberloff, D. (2020). “de-extinction” in conservation: Assessing risks of releasing “resurrected” species. Journal for Nature Conservation, 56, 125838. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2020.125838
[15] How European rabbits took over Australia. Education. (n.d.). https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/how-european-rabbits-took-over-australia/
[16] Id.
[17] Id.
[18] Alif, Ž. (n.d.). Understanding local knowledge and attitudes toward potential reintroduction of a former British wetland bird. British Ecological Society Journals. https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pan3.10488/
[19] Id.
[20] Nilsen, E. B., Milner-Gulland, E. J., Schofield, L., Mysterud, A., Stenseth, N. C., & Coulson, T. (2007). Wolf reintroduction to Scotland: public attitudes and consequences for red deer management. Proceedings. Biological sciences, 274(1612), 995–1002. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2006.0369
[21] Id.
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