Until recent years, catching a glimpse of a beaver or pine marten would have been a rare sight. Now, thanks to reintroduction projects and conservation efforts, many of Britain's 'lost' wildlife species are returning to the landscape with populations thriving.
- Britain's lost beasts: when did the moose, wolf and bear go extinct in UK?
- Podcast: Why rewilding is vital for farming and wildlife
Species making a comeback in Britain
Eurasian Beaver (Castor fiber)
Once native to the UK, beavers were hunted to extinction around 400 years ago. Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) made a return to Britain in 2009, with reintroductions beginning in Scotland, followed by locations in England. Eurasian beaver populations are now thriving in rivers and wetlands in Dorset and the Forest of Dean.
These industrious engineers rebuild habitats, reduce flood risks, and boost biodiversity by building dams to create ponds and wetlands.
- Guide to Britain’s beavers: history, reintroduction and best places to see
- Wild beavers granted legal right to remain in England
- How Devon’s beaver population is transforming the landscape
Pine marten (Martes martes)
Thriving in woodland habitats, pine martens (Martes martes) are thought to have arrived in Britain following the last glacial period. Around 6,500 years ago, they were the second most common carnivore in Britain and Ireland; however, by the 1800s, their numbers had plummeted due to hunting for fur, predator control by gamekeepers, and widespread habitat loss. As a result, pine martens nearly disappeared from many parts of the UK, surviving only in scattered populations across Scotland, northern England, Wales, and Ireland.
Now, thanks to reintroduction efforts, numbers are making a comeback with pine martens successfully returning to Wales and south-west England.
- Pine marten guide
- UK pine marten population grows thanks to their adaptable diets
- Pine marten could play ‘crucial role’ in restoring balance between red and grey squirrels
- Pine martens reintroduced to the Forest of Dean
White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)
Reintroduction of the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) began in Scotland in 1975, starting with a successful release on the Isle of Rum. The programme involved releasing birds from Norway, with the first successful breeding recorded in 1985. Additional releases followed in Wester Ross in 1990, helping to establish a self-sustaining population across parts of Scotland. White-tailed eagles took English skies for the first time in 240 years following the release of six eaglets on the Isle of Wight in 2019.
- White-tailed eagle chicks born in England for only second time in 240 years
- UK's oldest white-tailed eagle pair celebrate silver anniversary with 25th chick
European Bison (Bison bonasus)
Two years have passed since wild bison were reintroduced to the UK, and the impact has been remarkable. Since they arrived in Blean Woods, Kent, in July 2022, the three female bison have adapted swiftly to their new environment, bringing dramatic changes to the landscape.
Almost immediately, the bison began carving pathways through the dense woodland, allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor. This simple act sparked a burst of plant growth, which in turn has drawn in a wide range of wildlife.
- John Craven: Bison and pigs are natural agents of rewilding
- UK’s first bison bridges take shape in Kent woodland
Scottish wildcat (Felis silvestris)
The Scottish wildcat is a native feline that resembles a domestic tabby but is noticeably more robust. It has a stockier build, longer legs, and a thick, bushy tail marked with dark rings and a blunt black tip. Its broad, flat head and wide-set ears give it a distinctive, wild appearance.
Once widespread across mainland Britain, wildcats are now critically endangered and confined to the north-west Highlands of Scotland. These elusive creatures are facing a sharp decline, with current population estimates ranging from just 115 to 314 individuals.
- Rare wildcats have been released into the Scottish Highlands in a bid to save these 'Highland tigers' from extinction
- Scottish wildcat vs the average tabby: Just what's the difference between these similar-looking felines?
- 'Pure breed' Scottish wildcat caught on video for first time
Red kite (Milvus milvus)
Red kites were driven to near extinction in England and Scotland by the 1800s, surviving only in a few isolated areas of Wales. At their lowest point, they were so rare that just a single female managed to raise chicks. Reintroduction efforts in the late 1980s and early 1990s marked the beginning of their recovery.
Thanks to reintroduction efforts led by organisations such as the RSPB and Natural England, red kite numbers have soared, with estimates now ranging from 5,000 breeding pairs to over 10,000 individuals.
Wild boar (Sus scrofa)
Once hunted to extinction in the UK, wild boar have made an unexpected comeback – not through official reintroduction programmes, but via escapes and intentional releases from farms and private collections. Today, self-sustaining populations exist in areas such as the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire and parts of the Weald in southern England. There are estimated to be around 4,000 wild boar in the UK.
Their return has sparked mixed reactions. Some conservationists celebrate the ecological benefits they bring, such as soil disturbance that promotes plant diversity. However, others raise concerns about damage to farmland, public safety, and the lack of regulation surrounding their presence. As their numbers grow, the debate over how best to manage these powerful and elusive animals continues.
Species yet to be reintroduced
Wolf (Canis lupus)
The prospect of reintroducing wolves to the UK continues to generate debate, it remains unlikely at present. Major obstacles include concerns from farmers about livestock safety, public apprehension about large predators, and questions over whether the UK’s fragmented landscapes could support viable wolf populations.
- Rewilding wolves: what can Sweden teach us about living with big predators?
- Wolves versus wild cattle – the story of the battle to rewild Britain’s countryside
Lynx (Lynx Lynx)
In contrast, there is growing support for the reintroduction of the Eurasian lynx – a smaller, more elusive predator that poses little threat to humans and minimal risk to livestock. Advocates see the lynx as a more practical and publicly acceptable first step toward rewilding with larger carnivores. With suitable habitat in areas like the Scottish Highlands and parts of northern England, pilot projects are being seriously considered, positioning the lynx as a potential pioneer in the UK's return to a wilder ecological balance.
