Wolves should be reintroduced into the countryside to benefit humans – says environmentalists
An environmentalist is calling for the ‘rewilding’ of the UK for the benefit of humans – including wolves reintroduced into the countryside.
George Monbiot suggested letting trees grow back on bare uplands and allowing the seabed to recover from trawling to benefit the human race.
The author and environmentalist claimed that sheep have destroyed parts of the countryside, and said that bringing back missing animals would help wildlife and people.
He said that Lynx and “even, one day, wolves” are on his wish list for the upland areas of the West Country including Dartmoor in Devon.
The claims were made by Mr Monbiot during an event held at Exeter University in Devon, where he was joined on stage by leading conservationist Alan Watson Featherstone.
The event, organised by the Network of Wellbeing, explored the links between rewilding and wellbeing, and suggested ways the UK could become wild again.
The event heard how in Scotland native forests are being restored and birds of prey such as sea eagles, ospreys and red kites are being returned.
Mr Featherstone, founder of the charity Trees for Life, believes that the Eurasian Lynx is a realistic candidate for reintroduction into the countryside of the UK.
He believes that the lynx offers little threat to sheep and none to humans but is a specialist predator of roe deer, a species which has multiplied and holds beck the regenerations of trees.
Mr Monbiot said: “Rewilding offers us a big chance to reverse destruction of the natural world.”
Mr Featherstone said: “In the highlands of Scotland we have an opportunity to reverse environmental degradation.
“Offering a lifeline to wildlife including beavers, capercaillie, wood ants and pine martens, and restoring natural forests and wild spaces for our children and grandchildren.”