Rewilding Europe: Animal Welfare Dimensions 2025

Keywords: rewilding, wildlife welfare, wolf reintroduction, bison restoration, European rewilding

Rewilding initiatives across Europe — including Rewilding Europe, Rewilding Britain, and various national programmes — restore large predators and herbivores to ecosystems. Welfare considerations arise in translocation stress, predator-prey dynamics, and human-wildlife conflict. Bison reintroduction programmes in Romania and the UK require careful welfare monitoring during capture, transport, and establishment. Wolf and lynx restoration generates livestock predation conflicts requiring compensation schemes and livestock protection measures. Welfare science emphasises minimum capture frequency, appropriate release site selection, and post-release monitoring. Rewilding now incorporates welfare science frameworks to balance ecosystem goals with individual animal wellbeing.

Key References: Rewilding Europe Annual Report 2024; IUCN Reintroduction Guidelines 2023; Animal Conservation 2024

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