Rewilding

mickysf replied on 23/10/2019 16:11

Posted on 23/10/2019 16:11

Just been reading the latest RSPB magazine and in particular the article about Rewilding. Having read this it seems to me that the notions of Experiencing Freedom and Rewilding make good bed fellows for the future, particularly when considering the economic case as described in the article. I just wonder what other CTers think about the subject. Of interest to me was the £13 million pound injected into the economy of the German Hartz region with the increased tourism generated after the reintroduction of Lynx into the area. 54% of all visitors said that the Lynx were a significant factor in their choice of this area to visit.

Maybe, similar projects could impact equally in areas here in Great Britain. Any thoughts?

Fisherman replied on 23/10/2019 16:18

Posted on 23/10/2019 16:18

Why did these rich muppets decide that Mid Wales was a good place. Masses of funding and railroading the locals. Why don't they do it at home (NIMBYS) and rewild the Downs and the New Forest. Already plenty of wild ponies and deer to feed their wolves and other carnivores they want to introduce. Our answer is S.d O.f.. Yes of course they don't own an acre of the land here but have been to the University of Attenborough. We call hem Bunny Huggers.

JVB66 replied on 23/10/2019 16:19

Posted on 23/10/2019 16:19

Wild boar in the Forest of Dean are giving problems?

Beavers have been reintroduced some areas of UK

Red kite are now very common 

Pine Martin's are being reintroduced in areas to "control "  grey squrrels

Wolves in Scotland?

Eagles to IOW?

But then some farming communities are up in arms about it as with anything that does not increase their  profitssurprised

mickysf replied on 23/10/2019 16:32

Posted on 23/10/2019 16:32

There are always going to be concerns with the reintroduction of top preditors, some rational and some irrational, I understand that but the Rewilding of environments like meadows, water courses, wetlands and forests etc surely is more palatable and positive isn't it?

I've seen first hand the excellent work in various places involved in The Chalk Stream Projects.  Fabulous work improving habitats benefiting both flora and fauna. More needed in my opinion.

Oneputt replied on 23/10/2019 16:35

Posted on 23/10/2019 16:11 by mickysf

Just been reading the latest RSPB magazine and in particular the article about Rewilding. Having read this it seems to me that the notions of Experiencing Freedom and Rewilding make good bed fellows for the future, particularly when considering the economic case as described in the article. I just wonder what other CTers think about the subject. Of interest to me was the £13 million pound injected into the economy of the German Hartz region with the increased tourism generated after the reintroduction of Lynx into the area. 54% of all visitors said that the Lynx were a significant factor in their choice of this area to visit.

Maybe, similar projects could impact equally in areas here in Great Britain. Any thoughts?

Posted on 23/10/2019 16:35

Been to the Harz mountains 3 times in the last 6 years and didn’t know there were Lynx being reintroduced in the area.  Their advertising obviously passed me by

ABM replied on 23/10/2019 16:44

Posted on 23/10/2019 16:14 by Cornersteady

sorry I'll admit to this freely but what is rewilding?

Posted on 23/10/2019 16:44

Rewilding, Corners, involves the careful & controlled reintroduction of  species that have departed from certain areas, either by habitat reduction or hunting or similar.

The claim for introduction of lynx & wolves in the Scottish Highlands for instance is that they would, over time, reduce the numbers of Female deer to tolerable levels.  Hunters don't want females, they only want big stags and big displays of antlers. So no hunter will pay for the females tho' butchers might. Why the deer, well they are in big numbers and as such are changing the natural plant growth, to the detriment of capercaillie, grouse & mountain Hare for instance.

 

Seems reasonable  undecided  but they've a lot of folk to convince yet I think.

mickysf replied on 23/10/2019 17:26

Posted on 23/10/2019 17:26

There is far, far more to the concept of Rewilding! It's not all about reintroduction of top preditors, let's put them aside for one moment. It's also about the reintroduction of habitats and 'lesser' species too. Some against such initiatives concentrate on the pinicle preditors which could occupy these suggested areas in order to raise objections to changes in land use. The reintroduction of water vole, brown trout, reptiles, amphibians or certain insects including butterflies etc. are overlooked as is the natural reintroduction of some species. Some against these project often belittled supporters calling then bunny or tree huggers. Has anyone every been attacked by a wild rabbit or aggressive oak tree? 

Fisherman replied on 23/10/2019 17:39

Posted on 23/10/2019 17:39

Micky-We have long done our bit as you say, but this scheme was to reintroduce wolves and other preditors  whilst curtailing the farming community from protecting their sheep flocks. These people don't own a single acre of the land involved. We have plenty of stewardship schemes already in place to do as you suggest and those schemes are well under way.

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