Rewilding projects in Europe aim to restore wolf, lynx, and other large carnivores. Understanding welfare implications for reintroduced animals and prey species is essential.
Rewilding welfare involves complex calculations across species. Reintroduced carnivores experience significant stress during capture, transport, and acclimatisation. Prey species welfare may paradoxically improve through behavioural effects of predator presence reducing overgrazing. Livestock killed by reintroduced predators represents welfare harm for farmed animals. Compensation schemes and guardian animal programmes can reduce livestock losses while enabling coexistence. Long-term welfare of reintroduced populations requires adequate prey, space, and freedom from illegal persecution.