Wildlife is back, baby! After hundreds, in some cases thousands, of years away, beavers, bison and sea eagles have all made successful returns to UK shores in the last decade. Now, there are hopes that European elk (aka moose) could make a comeback to the UK after 3,000 years.
With enormous antlers and males weighing up to 800kg, elk are the largest species within the deer family. They disappeared from the UK as a result of over-hunting by humans for their meat, skin and antlers and the loss of habitats, particularly wetlands. These days, elk are primarily found in western parts of North America but have gradually been making a return to Europe, particularly in Scandinavia.
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has ambitions to introduce elk into existing fenced beaver enclosures in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire with a longer-term goal of letting them eventually roam free in the wild. Experts say that the elk can play a really important role in Britain’s ecosystem as their grazing helps promote the natural regeneration of woodland and their trampling around keeps clearings open.
The project to bring back elk has been back by Rewilding Britain, which awarded it funding last week as part of its Rewilding Innovation Fund.
Rebecca Wrigley, the chief executive of Rewilding Britain, said: ‘Keystone species like elk, bison and beaver play a vital role in bringing nature back to life. They help repair ecosystems and shape wild places in ways that benefit wildlife, people and the climate.
‘Successfully reintroducing missing species like these is absolutely crucial. It’s a complex process involving multiple stages of research and development, feasibility studies, impact assessments and community consultations. By taking the time and effort to get it right, we can create a more hopeful future for everyone.’
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