Rewilding programs that reintroduce large mammals including bison, beaver, and wolves involve welfare considerations at the individual and population level.
Translocation for rewilding involves capture, transport, and release stress that can cause capture myopathy and post-release mortality. Careful capture protocols, appropriate transport, and soft release methods minimize individual welfare costs. Animals released into unfamiliar territories face initial stress as they establish ranges and social structures. Long-term population welfare benefits generally justify the short-term individual welfare costs of well-managed translocation.