Beauties or beasts: The reintroduction of native species

I've noticed several articles recently on the reintroduction of once native species back in to Britain. There's a number of species that are being, or have been, considered for reintroduction including wild boar, beavers, wolves, lynx and even bears. It's no real surprise that controversy surrounds the issue, particularly with animals such as wolves that have played such an important role in stories and folklore for hundreds of years - from majestic creatures running in the moonlight to fearsome beasts hidden by the night. But what really are the benefits and problems that would be associated with these once common species returning to our shores?

Lets start with wolves. The area that's being looked at here is the Scottish highlands, our biggest remaining area of wilderness. Discussion has been going on for several years now as to whether wolves should be reintroduced here and has generated a lot of debate on both sides. So why are people worried about them returning? Well, firstly there are the farmers who keep livestock in the region. They have worries that wolves would prey on their livestock and become a major pest, eventually needing culling to keep down numbers. Then there are some walking groups and others who use these areas for recreation who worry that the reintroduction of species would conflict with the right to roam, with areas being set aside as reserves. Then there is just the general fear of predatory creatures. It's not something we're used to in Britain these days and fears that wolves could spread well beyond the areas they're introduced to is a big worry to many people.

But what about the benefits? Firstly all of the creatures being considered for reintroduction were once native species and were hunted to extinction by man, so there is a moral argument that it is right for us to bring them back. On a more pragmatic note wolves could play an important role in bringing balance to our eco-systems, and in particular red deer populations. Currently there are many more red deer than their habitats can sustainably support and so tens of thousands are culled each year to stop them from causing long term damage. The reintroduction of wolves, for whom deer would provide a major food source, would reduce these numbers and do so in the way that is best for the deer populations, by killing of the weak and elderly that make for easiest pickings. This would leave stronger deer populations and in more manageable numbers. Finally there is the economic benefits that come from the tourism wolves would bring.

The concerns and benefits vary slightly with each species, with worries that wild boar may spread diseases and beavers cause habitat damage to balance benefits that they may bring to the ecosystem and the responsibility that we have to see them back in Britain.

Trials are already approved for trial reintroductions of beavers in Scotland, which are due to take place this spring. It's always going to be an individual choice as to whether we think the benefits outweigh the risks, but in the end the only way to find out is going to be to carry out trials like this and see what happens.