Why do we wish to reintroduce extinct fauna?

They are part of a lost Heritage

They are from a mammal perspective all keystone species, which influence the living prospects of others and for which ecological niches still exist.

It would set a tangible international beacon of tolerance.  

Some of our extinct mammal species are still highly fragmented in Europe as a whole and the reintroduction of strong vigorous populations in the UK could help to secure their wider future.

Their reintroduction would send a clear conservation message. Many of the lost species are iconic and their return could be used to symbolise a will to restore past ecological damage.

There may be an economic role for these creatures in remoter parts of the UK through Ecotourisim (beavers) or perhaps even hunting (Wild boar). It was pointed out that the RSPB reckoned that Ospreys had brought  £17,000,000 back into rural Wales

It is likely that a majority of the UK population would welcome their return.

There are legal obligations under the Berne Convention to restore lost Flora and Fauna.

They may be the best species for performing the ecological job of restoring recreated corridor habitats to assist a reversal of further fragmentation and extinction of surviving wildlife populations in relict tiny areas.

Some such as the beaver may be able to help us so out with our own ecological problems as a species by assisting with the retention of water in the uplands.

They may help to control invasive alien species – i.e. Pine martens and grey squirrels.

How could we do this?

By fencing off areas of ecologically trashed land to create Oostvardersplasssen type nature corridors or dynamos.

More vigorously with out sinking every official proposal to reintroduce in petty detail.

The Statutory Agencies should be more sympathetic to well thought out proposals, not use the IUCN guidelines as potential barriers to progress. Be more prepared to take risks where appropriate and generally stop farting around where the prospects for restoration were good.

Political and people persuasions is vital. You have to get people to believe that the only coca cola they want is the real thing! Marketing a vision of beauty.

Education and having all the right facts and arguments together as a Wildland think tank so that when proposals arise they can be supported on the basis of credible European or world evidence.

It was pointed out that a selection of species had already been restored unofficially – eagle owls, polecats, pool frogs, wild boar and goshawks – by people who clearly felt that any official process was doomed to end in failure.

Failure or inability to act officially will leave this as the only angle of recourse and could result in a total ecological shambles.

When could we do this?

Now

Where could we do this?

Uplands, lowlands wetlands, arable lands – its all practicable and there is much to be said for embracing nature and learning to live with it rather than keeping it at arms length eternally in wilderness areas.

Present: Derek Gow, facilitator, .....tbc