Rewilding aims to restore natural ecosystems by reintroducing apex predators and keystone species. Welfare considerations for both reintroduced animals and affected prey species matter.
Rewilding creates both welfare benefits and welfare costs. Reintroduced individuals face stress from capture, relocation, and unfamiliar territory. Prey populations facing newly reintroduced predators experience chronic fear that alters behavior and physiology. However, diverse, predator-regulated ecosystems may produce more stable conditions for prey animal populations than simplified agricultural landscapes. Welfare-informed rewilding selects release sites carefully, monitors individuals closely, and provides veterinary support during establishment phases.