Analysis of Possible Impacts of Wolves Reintroduction to The UK

Introduction

In the past, wolves once roamed the UK and played a vital role in keeping the wild deer populations under control through hunting. However, in the 17th and 18th centuries, they were hunted to extinction, and as a result, wild deer populations have skyrocketed. With no natural predators, wild deer have thrived to the point where they are venturing onto roads and into public areas, causing road accidents, destroying crops, and becoming hazards to the public. According to an article from BBC News (2019), it is estimated that up to 74,000 deer-related accidents occur annually, with 400 motorists injured each year in Britain. Reintroducing wolves to the UK may reduce this number as they will prey on the deer, bringing their populations down to more manageable levels. Moreover, reintroducing wolves to the UK would also have conservation benefits, as the species considered for reintroduction is the Red Wolf (Canis rufus), which is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List.

Case Study: Reintroduction of Wolves in the United States

Bangs, E. (2008) describes a recovery plan to reintroduce wolves to Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho as part of a wolf restoration plan for the northern Rocky Mountains of the United States. According to Bangs (2008), there were strong debates and disagreements about reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone and Idaho, lasting around two decades, as the reintroduction was seen as “non-essential and experimental under Section 10 (j) of the federal Endangered Species Act.” However, the plan was finally approved in 1994, but the wolves weren’t introduced to the park until January 1995, when 29 wolves were released. Since then, no livestock has been killed, and the packs have thrived and reproduced.

Houston, D. (2003) describes the aftermath of the wolves' release into Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho. The research done by Houston (2003) complements the studies conducted by Hayward, M. (2009). Houston (2003) states that ever since reintroducing wolves into Yellowstone and Idaho, the moose, elk, and coyote populations have decreased due to wolf predation. Additionally, the reintroduction has allowed the ecosystem to once again support large carnivores.

Hayward, M. (2009) states that the wolves used in the Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho wolf reintroduction were all captured from Canada. The reintroduction was driven by the Endangered Species Act (1973) and the National Park Service policy, which aimed to restore ‘natural’ conditions. Like Houston (2003) reported, it took two decades of public debate over the risks before deciding to proceed with the reintroduction plan. The wolves were caught and reintroduced, as stated by Bangs (2008), and the reintroduction plan was completed in just two years, instead of the estimated 3-5 years. By 2007, there were an estimated 1,500 wolves populating Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho.

Potential Impacts and Considerations for the UK

When considering the reintroduction of wolves to the UK, it is crucial to analyze the potential impacts and challenges. Chamberlain, M. (2016) conducted a study on the critically endangered red wolves (Canis rufus) in North Carolina, using GPS systems to track their space usage and habitat selection. The study found that “wolves maintained spatially stable home ranges that varied between 25 km² and 190 km².” This data can help predict the spatial needs and impacts of wolves if reintroduced in the UK.

Brotas, G. (2015) studied the diet of the Endangered Iberian Wolf (Canis lupus signatus) in Central Portugal. The study collected 295 wolf scats from 2011 to 2014, indicating a high dependence on livestock. The results showed that “Domestic goat predominated the diet (62% of the scats), followed by cow (20%) and sheep (13%); the only wild ungulate present in the scat analysis was the wild boar (4% of the scats).” This suggests that wolves in the UK might prefer livestock over wild deer. However, this study was based on wolves living in populated areas with little large wild game. Yuskavitch, J. (2005) predicted that reintroduced wolves in Yellowstone would primarily prey on deer and elk, but could occasionally kill livestock. It was estimated that “a population of 100 wolves in Yellowstone would kill up to 1200 deer or elk, as many as 20 cows and 70 sheep per year.”

Houston, D. (2003) states that wolves from Yellowstone crossed to Isle Royale, which had an overabundant moose population. The wolves gradually reduced the moose populations to manageable numbers, allowing the forest to recover by reducing browsing. However, in the 1980s, the wolves were wiped out from Isle Royale due to humans introducing parvovirus. Consequently, the moose populations grew until a catastrophic starvation event in 1990. Houston (2003) also noted that in Yellowstone, “elk are the primary prey for wolves in the park year-round, representing 92% of 1582 wolf kills recorded from 1995 to 2001.”

Challenges and Risks of Reintroduction

When considering the reintroduction of wolves, potential issues such as crossbreeding between wolves and other species, like dogs, should be considered. Fredrickson, R. (2007) stated that “A number of coyote‐red wolf hybrid litters were observed in the late 1990s in the reintroduced red wolf population.” This suggests that wolves reintroduced to the UK could potentially breed with stray dogs, creating wolf-dogs. Another concern is the spread of canine diseases, such as canine parvovirus (CPV) and canine distemper virus (CDV), among the pet dog population if wolves were reintroduced. Almberg, E. (2012) conducted a study on parasite invasion following the Yellowstone wolf reintroduction, which showed that the wolves became susceptible to infections due to the lack of management. Within a year of reintroduction, unvaccinated wolves showed signs of several viral infections. It was reported that “by 1997, 100 percent (18/18) of the wolves sampled across the park tested positive for exposure to CPV and 61 percent (11/18) tested positive for canine adenovirus type-1 (CAV-1). By 1997, 63 percent (12/19) of wolves tested positive for canine herpesvirus (CHV).” This could lead to the spread of these diseases from dogs to wolves, potentially wiping out reintroduced populations. To counter this, it is crucial to ensure that dogs are kept away from wolves and that wolves are captured and vaccinated annually.

Conclusion

The reintroduction of wolves to the UK presents both opportunities and challenges. While it could help manage deer populations and support conservation efforts, potential risks such as livestock predation and disease spread must be carefully managed. Drawing lessons from the successful reintroduction of wolves in the United States, particularly in Yellowstone National Park, can provide valuable insights into how the UK might proceed with its own reintroduction plans. Ultimately, careful planning and management will be essential to ensure the successful reintegration of wolves into the UK ecosystem.

References

• Bangs, E. (2008). Reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho. Northern Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery Plan.
• BBC News. (2019, May 14). Deer-related accidents in Britain.
• Houston, D. (2003). Effects of wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone Science.
• Hayward, M. (2009). Wolf reintroduction and ecosystem restoration. Ecological Restoration.
• Chamberlain, M. (2016). Spatial ecology of red wolves in North Carolina. Journal of Wildlife Management.
• Brotas, G. (2015). Diet of the Endangered Iberian Wolf in Central Portugal. European Journal of Wildlife Research.
• Yuskavitch, J. (2005). Predicted feeding patterns of reintroduced wolves. Wolves of Yellowstone.
• Fredrickson, R. (2007). Coyote‐red wolf hybridization in reintroduced populations. Conservation Biology.
• Almberg, E. (2012). Parasite invasion following the Yellowstone wolf reintroduction. Journal of Wildlife Diseases.