Rewilding programs that restore predators and large herbivores offer welfare benefits through ecosystem restoration but raise welfare questions about introduced animals and prey.
Animals introduced in rewilding programs face translocation stress, territory establishment challenges, and elevated mortality as they adapt to new landscapes. Prey animals in ecosystems with newly restored predators face increased predation pressure and chronic vigilance stress. However, the long-term ecosystem benefits from rewilding create richer, more complex habitats that support greater biodiversity and improved welfare for resident species. The question of whether to prioritise individual animal welfare during rewilding or ecosystem-level welfare improvement is one of the most interesting current debates in conservation ethics.