Latest news with #RewildingBritain
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Wildlife experts announce bold plan to bring back species lost for 3,000 years: 'I'd like to see them sooner rather than later'
Efforts to bring elk back to the United Kingdom are advancing. The Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire wildlife trusts secured £15,000 ($20,190) in funding from Rewilding Britain to begin feasibility studies, the BBC reported. Their goal? Reintroduce elk to the East Midlands, where they once roamed freely before hunters drove them to extinction about 3,000 years ago. Elk are impressive not only because of their features and size. They're also effective landscapers of nature. These massive creatures help shape entire ecosystems. They clear out dense vegetation as they graze. When elk wander through wetlands and grasslands, they act like a groundskeeping crew that controls overgrowth and creates clearer pathways for smaller animals. NWT's Janice Bradley noted that elk may have roamed through the Trent wetlands, making them native to the woods and the local landscape. Experts hope to bring them back to these grasslands to fulfill their role in improving habitats for other animals. She also said that while it may take time for the public to get used to the idea of elk returning to the area, they encourage people to engage and get excited. "But I'd like to see them sooner rather than later," she shared, per BBC. The initiative to reintroduce rare species and extinct wildlife isn't new. U.K. conservationists have already seen some success with rewilding projects. In Wales, marsh fritillary butterflies have made a comeback. Meanwhile, efforts by rewilding groups helped water voles thrive in the Welsh uplands after decades of absence. Bringing beavers back to the U.K. wetlands has also shown great results. In Dorset, reintroduced wild beavers created new habitats for other animals and helped reduce floods. The same positive changes occurred in Hampshire. Reintroducing elk to the U.K. is a bold move. However, if it works, it will add balance to the environment, benefiting plants, animals, and nearby communities. A healthy ecosystem means cleaner air and water, as well as a stronger connection to nature. Support biodiversity by planting native species at home to rewild your yard. Should the U.S. invest in building more wildlife overpasses? Absolutely Depends on how we do it Depends on where we do it Nope Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
The Independent
12-05-2025
- Science
- The Independent
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.
The Independent
12-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Elk could return to UK after 3,000 years in new rewilding plan
Elk could return to the UK for the first time in around 3,000 years as part of an ambitious rewilding plan for the East Midlands. The Rewilding Britain charity has given the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Wildlife Trusts £15,000 in funding for feasibility studies into returning the animals to the wild. Despite once being widespread across the country, European elk were hunted to extinction in the Neolithic era, but wildlife experts hope to reintroduce them to their natural habitat. Janice Bradley, from Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust (NWT), told the BBC: "They are one of our lost species. "They used to roam all over the place, through lots of different habitats, throughout the UK. "They would have roamed through the wetlands of the Trent, in and out of reed beds and pools, woods and grasslands, so they are native and were lost due to hunting, probably by Neolithic people, and we think they should be brought back to fulfil their role in optimising habitats for other wildlife." She added, however, that one of the biggest challenges was allowing the public to get used to the idea that elk should be returned to the countryside. The team behind the project hope that the successful reintroduction of beavers can work as a guide, with the first two pairs released into a Dorset nature reserve in March. The new funding to help reintroduce elk will pay for a disease risk assessment, while 2,000 households have also been consulted and landowners informed of the plans. "Initially our elk and beavers would be in same enclosure, bringing them back together in the UK for the first time in 3,000 years," Ms Bradley said. "But because elk prefer to be in those big, complex wetland habitats, eventually we would be looking at elk along the Trent valley. "They would very much stay in those habitats, they wouldn't be roaming across roads like deer, but that's a very long way away yet.' A project to reintroduce bison to the south of England has also been awarded funding. Rebecca Wrigley, the chief executive of Rewilding Britain, said: 'Keystone species like elk, bison and beaver play a vital role in bringing nature back to life. They help repair ecosystems and shape wild places in ways that benefit wildlife, people and the climate. 'Successfully reintroducing missing species like these is absolutely crucial. It's a complex process involving multiple stages of research and development, feasibility studies, impact assessments and community consultations. By taking the time and effort to get it right, we can create a more hopeful future for everyone.'
BBC News
12-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Project aims to return 'keystone' elk to UK after 3,000 years
Wildlife experts are "very excited" at the prospect of bringing back elks to the East Midlands - and to the UK - for the first time in about 3,000 Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Wildlife Trusts have secured £15,000 of funding from the Rewilding Britain charity to begin feasibility studies into their animals are regarded as "keystone" species which can create and maintain habitats for diverse other Bradley, from Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust (NWT), said one of the major challenges was getting the public used to the idea that elk "should be here". European elk were originally widespread in Britain but were hunted to extinction in the Neolithic Bradley, head of nature recovery (north), said: "They are one of our lost species. "They used to roam all over the place, through lots of different habitats, throughout the UK."They would have roamed through the wetlands of the Trent, in and out of reed beds and pools, woods and grasslands, so they are native and were lost due to hunting, probably by Neolithic people, and we think they should be brought back to fulfil their role in optimising habitats for other wildlife." The new funding will pay for a disease risk assessment, to study whether reintroduced elk would bring infections to existing livestock or vice Bradley thinks the successful reintroduction of beavers could be a good guide to the new project."We consulted with 2,000 households to say what was going on," she said."We would intend to do the same with elk, to inform residents and let them know what we are doing."But also helpfully get people excited and engaged."And engaging with landowners is very, very important part of any of the next steps."One of the first challenges is getting people used to the idea these animals are native to this country and they should be back here." An average adult moose stands between 4ft 7in and 6ft 11in (1.4m to 2.1m) high at the shoulder and can weigh from 380kg to 700 kg (838 to 1,543 lb).Does Ms Bradley believe such animals can be brought back to the UK and allowed into the wild?"Initially our elk and beavers would be in same enclosure, bringing them back together in the UK for the first time in 3,000 years," she said."But because elk prefer to be in those big, complex wetland habitats, eventually we would be looking at elk along the Trent valley."They would very much stay in those habitats, they wouldn't be roaming across roads like deer, but that's a very long way away yet."But I'd like to see them sooner rather than later."
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Elk could return to UK after 3,000 years as plan wins funding
Elk could roam the English countryside for the first time in 3,000 years after funding was approved to explore plans for their eventual reintroduction into the wild. European elk are woodland foragers and wetland grazers, helping to promote the natural regeneration of woodland and maintain open clearings. They went extinct in the UK due to overhunting and a loss of habitat. "This exciting project is working towards the possibility of reintroducing elk into two existing beaver enclosures in Derbyshire and Nottingham," in central England, said Rachel Bennett, deputy director of Wilder Landscapes and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, which applied for the funding alongside the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. The Rewilding Britain charity approved the grant in the latest round of the Rewilding Innovation Fund, a twice-yearly fund supporting innovative rewilding efforts. If approved, the move would bring elk and beavers together "for the first time in 3,000 years in the UK," Bennett said in a press release issued Wednesday. "This project could demonstrate how this crucial ecosystem engineer can thrive in floodplain landscapes, shaping diverse habitats that benefit communities and support biodiversity recovery," she explained. "It may also serve as a catalyst for engaging people in the long-term benefits of returning elk to the wild." - 'Hopeful future' - The wildlife trusts must now carry out extensive research, which could take up to three years, before a final decision on whether to licence the project is made by the government, a spokesperson for Derbyshire Wildlife Trust told AFP on Thursday. "It's a complex process involving multiple stages of research and development, feasibility studies, impact assessments, and community consultations. By taking the time and effort to get it right, we can create a more hopeful future for everyone," said Rebecca Wrigley, chief executive of Rewilding Britain. The plan follows a similar scheme to reintroduce bison to one of southeast England's largest areas of ancient woodland. Three female bison were released into the countryside near Canterbury, Kent, in July 2022. A bull bison was introduced later and two baby bison have since been born. "The reserve is teeming with life in areas that were once in darkness, and you can feel a renewed energy in the woodland," said bison ranger Hannah Mackins. "This project shows the incredible power of nature to heal and gives us hope for the future," she added. jwp/jkb/sbk
