THE NUCLEUS Issue 2 Spring 2024

Wolf Reintroduction

BY EMMA ORTIZ

Reintroducing wolves to UK landscapes

The wolf was once an integral part of the UK yet has been eradicated over the course of history due to the Big Bad Wolf stereotype. However, today there is growing pressure to reintroduce this apex predator to the UK’s ecosystem and restore nature’s harmony. In this article, we will discuss the rationale, challenges and potential benefits that arise from this controversial topic. The wolf was thought to be endemic to the UK, with over 2 million wolves roaming the hilly terrain, preying on deer and other grazing animals. Despite our relationship with dogs, their ancestors were viewed as a danger to people and a threat to livestock, causing wolf hunting parties to become a popular activity. This meant that by 1760, there was a dull, sinister silence caused by the lack of the haunting howl of the wolf. Wolves, being the top of the food chain, were a keystone predator. They were responsible for managing the population of deer and elk, yet in their absence, these herbivores have increased significantly in number. Although everyone may love the pretty picture of Bambi and his friends roaming the countryside without having to worry about predators, not everyone is too keen on the idea of overgrazing. But why is overgrazing so bad? Won’t it just lead to a chubby population of deer and elk?

I am afraid not. Overgrazing can cause several negative effects:

The success of Yellowstone has proved that the reintroduction of the wolf is very much possible. There are now over 100 wolves roaming in this national park and have caused nothing but a diverse array of positive outcomes. This includes: - Healthier plant species, such as willow - More food for the whole ecosystems (including the small scavengers all the way

- With global warming rising at a sky rocketing rate, plants and trees are essential to reducing our embarrassingly high carbon footprint. However, if these plants are in the stomachs of our furry friends, then they can no longer fulfil their role as our carbon storage machines. - From a farmer’s point of view, overgrazing means vegetation will be unable to flourish and will decrease their crop yield. - From the point of view of Bambi’s friends, Thumper (the rabbit) and Faline (the skunk), and many other similar species, overgrazing can lead to habitat degradation, leaving them homeless. Many claim that “we are not ready”. They fear that wolves would not prey upon deer, instead they would go for the “sitting ducks”: the sheep. This leads to 2 main questions: - What viable compensation schemes would provide an incentive for farmers? Would you be willing to pay the farmer if a wolf eats its sheep? How could we be able to control the damage that the wolf would cause? What is to stop them from eating people’s dogs, as happened in Sweden? These problems would all be stopped by the wolf, so why have they not been re-introduced yet?

to the grizzly bears) - An increasing the

adaptability rate of deer and elk due to natural selection.

Let me leave you with this – do you think the UK is ready for wolves? If so, what should its restoration plan look like?

You may think that due to this, the reintroduction of wolves is impossible. You are wrong.

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