Rewilding initiatives

[Funky_monks]

In fact, grouse moors are a great example of how nebulous the idea of rewilding is within the context of the UK.
The moors were cleared for sheep and shooting/hunting (the Highland clearances), so should rewilding really be looking to encourage small scale crofting as had existed for hundreds if not thousands of years prior to them?

 

[Funky_monks]

Not sure what the value of saying 'rewilders want subsidies' is. Farmers want subsidies too. Almost no rural land usage in the UK can make money in a globalised world so everyone wants subsidies. Farmers also want to produce a bit of food, and rewilders are also motivated by wanting to increase biodiversity.

Because people are both clearing tennants from the land and acquiring thousands of acres specifically to access this market and also the biodiversity net gain market, which is set to expand - cynically this has everything to do with the needs of capitalists and nothing to do with biodiversity needs.

 

[Humberto]

I would have thought providing better habitats for struggling species if possible and where possible would be the main goal.

I understand that such initiatives can be done in the wrong way.

 

[Brainaddict]

In fact, grouse moors are a great example of how nebulous the idea of rewilding is within the context of the UK.
The moors were cleared for sheep and shooting/hunting (the Highland clearances), so should rewilding really be looking to encourage small scale crofting as had existed for hundreds if not thousands of years prior to them?

Again you seem to be misunderstanding rewilding as a return to some point in the past. No-one who thinks about rewilding properly advocates that. You seem to know a lot about land-based industries but I'm not convinced you've really given rewilding a fair hearing.

I agree that subsidy programs shouldn't encourage consolidation of land ownership, but govt policies have been encouraging that since the second world war. If we want to stop it I don't think the starting point is deciding that rewilding is a scam.

 

[Hotel Chocolate]

Just thought this was interesting because I didn't even know that Terrapins had ever lived in the British Isles.

European pond turtle could return to British rivers and lakes

Conservationists say reintroduction of reptile could contribute to restoring ancient biodiverse wetlands

www.theguardian.com

 

[chilango]

Great to see this escalation of guerrilla rewilding. Wolves next please!
Two more lynx spotted on loose in the Highlands - BBC News

 

[danny la rouge]

Great to see this escalation of guerrilla rewilding. Wolves next please!
Two more lynx spotted on loose in the Highlands - BBC News

I’m conflicted. Lynx should be reintroduced. But through a process that involves, includes, listens to and educates local people. If you don’t bring people with you, and if the process isn’t seen as legitimate, or if it feels imposed, then landowners and those they have influence over will just hunt, trap and otherwise kill the animals, especially if they are perceived as a threat to people or farm stock.

I think lynx, wolves and other predators need this work more than say beavers. This isn’t guerrilla gardening.

 

[iona]

I’m conflicted. Lynx should be reintroduced. But through a process that involves, includes, listens to and educates local people. If you don’t bring people with you, and if the process isn’t seen as legitimate, or if it feels imposed, then landowners and those they have influence over will just hunt, trap and otherwise kill the animals, especially if they are perceived as a threat to people or farm stock.

I think lynx, wolves and other predators need this work more than say beavers. This isn’t guerrilla gardening.

Absolutely this.

Plus, the pair that have already been caught were reportedly pretty tame. Releasing animals raised in captivity into an unfamiliar environment, in this weather, is just cruel and stupid.

 

[Leafster]

I’m conflicted. Lynx should be reintroduced. But through a process that involves, includes, listens to and educates local people. If you don’t bring people with you, and if the process isn’t seen as legitimate, or if it feels imposed, then landowners and those they have influence over will just hunt, trap and otherwise kill the animals, especially if they are perceived as a threat to people or farm stock.

I think lynx, wolves and other predators need this work more than say beavers. This isn’t guerrilla gardening.

I think education is critical to the re-introduction of apex predators as well as ensuring their re-introduction takes place in the right locations.

I fear the release of these lynx hasn't been thought through properly risking the wellbeing of the animals and anyone who might accidentally come into contact with them not knowing they might be there.

Although I love wolves I think we should see how it goes with lynx before taking that next step.

 

[Leafster]

I see one of the lynx that had been recaptured has died.

One of four lynx captured in Scottish Highlands dies

Postmortem will be carried out on wild cat, one of four humanely captured in Cairngorms, to find cause of death

www.theguardian.com

Very sad.