Rewilding initiatives restore ecological processes through species reintroductions and reduced management. The welfare implications for individual animals require careful consideration alongside conservation benefits.
Rewilding is one of the most exciting developments in conservation but requires welfare thinking alongside ecological ambition. Individual animals in reintroduction programmes experience capture, handling, transport, and release stress. Some will fail to establish and die. Post-release welfare monitoring is essential to ensure that individual animals are not suffering excessively in the name of conservation. A compassionate conservation approach acknowledges that the welfare of individual reintroduced animals matters and works to minimise suffering during and after reintroduction processes.