Rewilding projects can improve habitat for many species but also raise welfare considerations for individual animals in reintroduced populations.
Individual-level welfare considerations are often secondary in conservation and rewilding contexts that focus on populations and ecosystems. Reintroduced animals face high initial mortality from predation, disease, and inadequate forage. Restored predator-prey dynamics increase the number of animals dying from predation compared to managed landscapes. Welfare-conscious rewilding monitors individual outcomes and provides intervention support where feasible.