Reintroduction of Extinct Species

[The Original Luna]

Editorial writing

Are we wild enough?

 

An essay about reintroduction of extinct species back into Britain.

 

Are we wild enough is the question that Britain‘s ecologists are asking themselves these few past weeks. Is Britain still wild enough for extinct species such as Bears, Lynxes, Boar, Beavers and Wolves to be reintroduced back into native Britain? Reintroduction for a once native species back into Britain has to be appropriate at the times, when the public generally feel that they would welcome back Extinct or near-extinct British Fauna, animals such as the Pine Marten and the Otter; which have suffered persecution are gradually returning to the British countryside.

Many extinct species that were here from 15000 years ago to 200 years ago crossed a land-bridge that was here 15000 years ago which made access to Britain from North-France possible. Animals such as Wolves, Bears, Beavers and many other now extinct animals would have crossed over the Bridge. Man also crossed over the bridge, and when Man became farmer and no longer Hunter-gatherer, these animals soon became viewed as Vermin and were wiped out.

Supporters of reintroduction, argue that reintroducing extinct animals back into Britain would benefit the country greatly. In Scotland there is a crisis of too many Red deer living there. This causes a strain on the eco-structure, which means that in the future more deer will die and the species will be liable to become extinct. Cultural beliefs in the areas that the animals are to be released into have different opinions on their natural heritage, whether the animals when restored could help restore the balance of extinction and Life. Extinct species have come to represent the countryside and have even given their names to places where they were associated with, places such as Wolverhampton, Wolvercote and many other towns with which the same names originate. Also economically, the north is suffering. , whilst the south of Britain has more industrialised big cities.

Reintroducing these animals back into the north and Scotland would help the tourism industry.

Protestors of reintroduction argue that animals would be dangerous, such as the carnivores; Bears, Lynxes and Wolves would damage the eco-structure of what they consider to be a ‘fragile’ Britain beyond repair. The Taboo on animals such as these mainly is obtained from countries outside Europe and in America. The American Wolves are different to the European wolves as the American wolves are timber wolves and not the same; this nullifies research over there to be applied over here. The myths about Wolves attacking humans are identified as three main causes of attack,

-Rabid- when Rabies infects the Wolf’s Brain.

-Predatory- when Wolves regard Humans as prey.

-Defensive when Wolves are provoked by humans.

Because Rabies does not exist in Britain today, the only main threats would be predatory and defensive. There is also concern about how many wolves the highland could and if it would hunt its natural prey. The Highlands, which are roughly 25,000km squared which support many deer, could support many wolves but not thousands. In general a pack can have a territory from 100km squared to 2000km squared, which differs and prey can be scarce or plentiful. Farmers will fear wolves because they say that wolves will ignore deer and attack sheep. Research from America shows that Wolves do not necessarily slaughter sheep and has a minimal effect on Livestock.

If Wolves and other creatures are to be released, ecologists must think of the long term effects. The Wolves might help reduce the deer population and they may prey on the sheep. If wolves and other species were introduced, Tourism may go up but the public’s opinion must be changed for them to survive. Whatever the situation the effect is for life.

 

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opinions?