Time to end uncertainty over rewilding strategy

HE idea of rewilding – reintroducing species such as the wolf or the beaver that were once common in Scotland – has always been controversial, and understandably so. Introducing one species anywhere means there are potential consequences for the species already living there, including humans. If rewilding is to go ahead – and there are strong arguments in favour of it – then it must be done cautiously.

The reintroduction of wild boar in Scotland is a case in point and would seem to demonstrate what happens when rewilding goes wrong. Not only did their original reintroduction happen accidentally when farmed boar escaped to the wild, there is now concern about the size of the population and the damage they can do to property.

The Scottish Gamekeepers’ Association says it has called for official guidance so landowners know what they can legally and humanely do to minimise damage. It has also accused Scottish Natural Heritage of failing to show leadership on the issue and it has a point. SNH says it is working with the Scottish Government to assess the pros and cons of wild boar in the Scottish countryside but it is all taking far too long.

The same is happening with beavers. The report into a trial in which beaver were reintroduced and monitored in Argyll has been with the Scottish Government for months, but it is yet to officially respond and lay out a plan of action. In the meantime, some landowners have taken the law into their own hands and shot beavers.

What is needed now is decisive action from the Government to establish a clear position on rewilding and a structure for managing it. It should only be done in stages and there must be a licensing system to allow landowners to petition to have some animals controlled or removed.

The promise of rewilding is a richer, wilder countryside, but the current uncertainty must not be allowed to continue.