The ‘lost species' hunted to extinction set to return to the UK
Elk could be reintroduced to the UK after a 3,000-year absence, following a rewilding plan in the East Midlands.
Rewilding Britain granted £15,000 to Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Wildlife Trusts for feasibility studies.
Elk, hunted to extinction in the Neolithic era, were once widespread in the UK. Janice Bradley, from Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust (NWT), told the BBC: "They are one of our lost species.
The project aims to reintroduce Elk to their natural habitat, using the successful reintroduction of beavers as a model.
Public acceptance and habitat suitability are key challenges, with initial plans involving cohabitation with beavers in enclosures before eventual release into the Trent valley.
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