Wild About Rewilding?

 

I must admit to having a sneaking enthusiasm for the return of some species that have been rendered extinct in the UK. I also, however, have some reservations (strangely, some of which are apparently shared by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors -see https://www.rics.org/uk/news-insight/future-of-surveying/sustainability/rewilding-britains-countryside/ - an organisation with which I have absolutely no connections). There is an interesting focus is an account of 'guerrilla rewilding' of a Devon farm, held up by some, as a 'new' ecotourism direction for UK farming in the coming Brexit world (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/04/its-going-to-be-our-way-now-the-guerrilla-rewilder-shaking-up-british-farming-aoe). One might, of course, comment that, post-Brexit, the UK might actually find itself needing to produce more of its own agricultural produce. The farmer, Derek Gow (who is supported by a number of reputable organisations and wealthy individuals) is intent on breeding and releasing a variety of animals (including Water voles, European beavers, Wild cats, Cranes and wild boars) on to ex-farmland (he also offers tours, housed in former shepherd's huts). Some of his activities (such as the release of beavers) seem to be currently meeting with relative approval  (one can make a good case for them, in terms of increasing the biodiversity of rivers and limiting flooding) but guerrilla rewilding is, essentially, an individual deciding what to do. This is how many natural systems got into trouble in the first place, with humans (largely deciding unilaterally) what species to move into particular areas. Sometimes, the introduced animals (e.g. Grey squirrels, American mink, Cane toads, wild pigs and Indian mongoose) had unexpected and devastating consequences on species living in those locations.  I appreciate that most of these introductions involved the relocations of alien species but every ecosystem is a balance and reintroductions will produce complex repercussions. Mr Gow does seem willing to dash off to Poland to get species that he fancies. I can understand the rewilder's frustration with the slowness of 'official' routes but I don't think a 'free-for-all' is the right approach. There is also the question of where do we stop? Do we want the Lynx, the Grey wolf and even the Elephant, simply because they once lived here? In some cases the answer might be 'yes' but that might only apply to particular locations. We need more consensus and time.