Reintroducing Apex Predators
With other projects and groups actively participating with the aim to reintroduce Apex predators of yesteryear to our countryside. One argument for reintroducing these species is that it offers a return to wildlife management of historic predator and prey relationships. The reason we are at this impasse is because the predators were often removed or hunted due to predation of livestock. Now whilst their os arguments for and against the reintroduction of these animals is that they could open this risk up again.
Whilst proposing arguments for predators like the bear, wolf and lynx all of various issues in themselves as each comes with different risks the argument for the ecological benefit has been well established. Apex predators will keep prey animal populations to a manageable number as the rate of which prey animals reproduce unhindered by predators can impose other issues on local landscapes. The herds of deer left unchecked and without management can prevent trees and hedgerows regrowing by consuming or trampling on saplings. Whilst a more sustainable population has less of impact as their footfall is reduced. This can also have a benefit on arable crops as it prevents deer grazing on these valuable crops saving farmers cost either from lost crops or management systems to deter the deer. The benefit of keystone species that have a direct and indirect impact on the environment changing its ecological profiles. The question should the historic predators return or do our environments learn to cope with planned management of wildlife by humans which can be costly.
Now looking at it from the opposite points of view these species are often a greater risk to pets and to livestock farms. In terms of pets some small dogs and cats are at a greater risk as they can pose an easier target for predation but these animals can be protected by responsible ownership in high risk areas. With livestock works undertaken with livestock guardian breeds of dog could prove the answer for protecting and deterring predators as most species of predator will not risk dogs encase of injury. The main issue for the UK however, is allowing the animals to establish a territory as when they are contained, both types of animals can be managed more readily when we look at larger geographic regions including towns and cities with various barriers this can cause a greater conflict with people. We need to also remember that they might not have the desired impact on deer number reduction as well as by proxy the restoration of the trees would not be a certainty.
The other added benefit of using livestock guardian breeds such as the kuvasz is that these breeds can also potentially protect stock from other dogs that enter the farmland. The benefit of the guardian breed is they can act as a strong deterrent for both the apex and would-be predators the breeds chase off and deter the animals whilst living with the stock viewing them as a pack. The dogs do this naturally and act as a stable addition to your stocks security.
In Suffolk we are looking more at how we can reintroduce a natural predator the lynx as well as other former species like the bison and pelicans. The argument should be can we live with the animals, does it offer us a better alternative and lifestyle and does it offer a safeguard for our planet. Projects WildEast may see a greener landscape across the county and if we move towards plans with nature at its heart learning from the likes of dutch to provide wildlife corridors over roads like the A14 to prevent isolated populations. In the future I will be looking at wildlife corridors as well as rewilding initiatives to look at their feasibility.
https://www.conservationjobs.co.uk/articles/wolf-reintroduction-in-scotland/
https://www.morningagclips.com/the-benefits-of-livestock-guardian-dogs/
