Background information provided for students
Throughout the activity, students will be directed to the supporting information given below, which provides some background, challenging ideas and options for further research. They are given fact round ups at the start of each section, and invited to scroll down for more information, ideas for research and discussion points.
Introduction
“Wow – in some places they’re talking about bringing back bears and wolves and stuff. I think we should do that here – it’d be totally cool!”
Is it true?
There are some people who say that reintroducing species that once lived in the UK would restore the country’s ecological balance after centuries of meddling by humans. They say predators, such as wolves and lynx, would control deer populations and boost tourism.
What animals used to live here?
- The grey wolf was here until 1680
- The brown bear was here until 900
- The Eurasian lynx was here until 900
- The European beaver was here until the 1700s, and is now being reintroduced at enclosed sites
- The European elk (moose) was here until 900
These are all animals that some people argue should be brought back to the UK.
What do you think?
What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages in bringing back animals that were once native to the UK?
Now it's time to say what you think - remember you're voting on whether or not you agree with the case made by this first character: "They should bring back wild bears and wolves - it'd be cool!"
Round 1
“No way – we can’t have wild animals roaming around! They’d be eating all the sheep and cows, and people wouldn’t be able to go walking in the country in case they got attacked. They might even eat people’s pets!”
“Yeah, it could be quite good, I reckon. I’d be all for bringing back beavers to England, like they have in Scotland for instance. All those dams would increase fish supplies for angling. There’d probably be fewer floods, and better biodiversity, so I think it’d be a win-win situation.”
The fear factor
Many people fear the reintroduction of carnivorous wild animals, especially large ones. Some farmers worry that their livestock would be at risk. Others say we shouldn’t tell other countries how to conserve their own large predator species if we are not prepared to reintroduce and learn to live with our own.
Bringing back beavers
The beaver is Europe's largest rodent and weighs about 18 to 20kg. It is semi-aquatic, with a large, flat tail, webbed hind feet and waterproof fur. It has large front teeth, which grow continuously throughout its life and are strong enough to chew through tree trunks. Beavers were hunted to extinction in the UK and throughout many parts of Europe for their fur, meat and castoreum - a substance they excrete that was valued for its alleged medicinal properties. Habitat loss was also a factor in their becoming extinct.
The first beavers to live in Scotland for over 400 years have now been released in a controlled five-year reintroduction of the species. The beaver families were released into Knapdale Forest in May 2009, and are being scientifically monitored to assess the effect they have on the local environment, and how well they fare. The trial will help decide the future of beavers in Scotland.
Find out more
Scottish Natural Heritage is coordinating the controlled reintroduction of beavers in Scotland. Find out more about how it is being managed and monitored by following these links:
What do you think?
What issues do you think should be considered before deciding to reintroduce an animal that has been extinct in this country for 400 years?
Now it’s time to say what you think - remember you’re voting on whether or not you agree with the case made by the first character: “They should bring back wild bears and wolves - it’d be cool!”
Round 2
“I suppose there might be some benefit to reintroducing species. I know they’ve done it quite successfully with birds. Some of them were carnivores, so I think it could be quite good for pest control. But we’d have to be so careful about the impact on existing species.”
“I’m not so sure about this. If a species died out before, maybe there was a good reason for it, and they’re just not supposed to be here. How do we know what would happen? Maybe animals that are already here would be affected in some way, or the reintroduced animals would suffer. Suppose things got out of hand and people started hunting them, for instance?”
Considering the impact
Releasing or reintroducing any species into the wild is a serious undertaking, which may have significant long-term effects on biodiversity and socio-economic interests, according to Natural England. But the EU Habitats Directive requires member states to look at the desirability of reintroducing some species native to their territory, where this might contribute to their conservation.
Find out more
Find out about examples of unmanaged introductions of species in the UK, such as grey squirrels, American mink and signal crayfish, and the impact they have had on animal welfare and biodiversity, by following this link.
Find out what safeguards Natural England puts in place to manage species reintroduction here.
Find out how a local authority in Wales is handling the reintroduction of the natterjack toad here.
What do you think?
In what sorts of ways might the animals that are reintroduced suffer? And how might the animals that are already here suffer? What do you think could be done to minimise the risk of suffering?
Now it’s time to say what you think - remember you’re voting on whether or not you agree with the case made by the first character: “They should bring back wild bears and wolves - it’d be cool!”
Round 3
“Well, it’s all very well talking about experiments, but experiments can go wrong, and they should be sure they know what they’re doing before they take risks. They’ve brought back peregrine falcons, which keep taking my lambs. I don’t think anyone thought about that. Wolves’d be even worse! And what happens if new animals bring in diseases that spread to others? Have they thought of that?”
“I don’t think we should bring animals back that don’t live here anymore, because it’s cruel They might not be able to survive, like before. And they wouldn’t know what to do in a strange place.”
Have peregrine falcons been reintroduced in the UK?
Peregrine falcons almost died out in the UK during the 1950s, largely because of the use of toxic agricultural chemicals such as DDT. Since a European ban on persistent organochlorine pesticides was introduced, populations of the bird have increased in the UK, with 20 per cent of the European population breeding here. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and other organisations have been providing nesting ledges and boxes to help peregrines recolonise their former ranges in the south and south east of England.
Do peregrines eat livestock?
Peregrines feed primarily on birds, which they catch in flight. Feral pigeons are favourite prey, but they sometimes take mammals, and occasionally amphibians, lizards and large insects.
What do you think?
Is the conservation of peregrine falcons an example of reintroducing a native species? Are they a risk to farm animals? Would the reintroduction of bears, wolves or lynx pose more threats for farm animals, or fewer?
Now it’s time to reach a verdict - remember you’re voting on whether or not you agree with the case made by the first character: “They should bring back wild bears and wolves - it’d be cool!”