Scotland's rewilding movement is reintroducing species and restoring ecosystems. Welfare considerations for reintroduced animals and recovering populations are an important dimension of responsible rewilding practice.
Scottish rewilding represents one of the most exciting applications of ecological restoration in Europe, with direct welfare implications for both reintroduced species and the ecological communities they restore. Welfare-centred rewilding practice minimises handling stress through skilled capture and release teams, monitors post-release adaptation and survival closely, and has clear protocols for welfare intervention if reintroduced animals show signs of failing to thrive. The ecological benefits of rewilding — habitat complexity, prey recovery, natural processes — improve the welfare environment for all species in the restored ecosystem. As rewilding expands, integrating welfare expertise alongside ecological knowledge strengthens both the practice and its outcomes.