In 1992, the European Union passed a directive called the ‘European Habitats Directive’ basically it informed the members of the union to ‘study the desirability of reintroducing species that are native to its territory’. In all that time, Britain has made very little progress on this front, indeed the only thing we have done, is to reintroduce the once native pool frog, and even that was amid a storm of controversy, so what hope is there for our larger animals? Sadly there are no easy answers, due to the fact that the issues aren't just ecological but also political. Below I’m going to outline the pros and cons of reintroducing six once native species and where they potentially could live:

Grey Wolf:

Status: Officially the last individual was killed in 1680, but the species did manage to survive until the 1740s.

Pros: Could lead to the regeneration of the Caledonian pine forest by suppressing red deer.

Cons: Wolves do take livestock, especially sheep. Between 1950 and 2000, 21 people in Europe were attacked by wolves and four died.

Where: It would have to be the Scottish Highlands, as there is just not enough space for them in the rest of the UK. The loss of the odd sheep would surely be compensated for by increased tourism and a timely boost to the economy.

Wild Boar:

Status: Probably extinct by the end of the 13thCentury in the UK. However, feral animals that escaped from farms have managed to establish populations in Kent, Sussex, Dorset and Gloucestershire.

Pros: Studies show that wild boar increase biodiversity in woodlands by digging for roots and turning over the soil. They help to reduce the density of bracken, which can impede regeneration, and they may be able to reduce the impact of non native plants such as rhododendrons.

Cons: Britain is famous for its bluebell woods, each spring our deciduous woods gain a lovely blue carpet of flowers. But this may only be possible because of the absence of the wild boar and its foraging behaviour. Also, an adult male can be a very aggressive animal.

Where: The boar is already established in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, so other large, extensive woodlands would be the best place.

Moose:

Status: Went extinct in Britain about 3500 years- long before even the Romans arrived.

Pros: Magnificent animals that would be a major attraction for wildlife watchers and other tourists.

Cons: Like its deer cousins, it’s a browser, so they would probably inhibit the regeneration of native forest. In Canada, it’s said that they kill more people than any other animal (apart from bees) as a result of collisions with vehicles.

Where: Moose have already been reintroduced to the Highlands, albeit within the confines of a large fenced enclosure at the Alladale estate. But as for reintroduction into the wild, maybe they’re best left where they are for now.

Lynx:

Status: The Lynx went in extinct in the UK around 500 AD; they were probably persecuted for preying on livestock.

Pros: Lynx are primarily predators of deer of various species, so they would help to significantly reduce the population.

Cons: Very few. There are no records whatsoever of any attacks on humans, but they do take farm animals.

Where: Dorset has a huge population of non native sika deer that needs reducing.

Beaver:

Status: Disappeared between the 12th-16thcenturies. Two years ago 11 beavers were released back into the wild in Argyll, Scotland and last year they bred for the first time, so their reintroduction is already under way, although it’s early days to say whether it has been successful or not.

Pros: Beavers help to create ponds in river systems through their lodges and dams, which provide a habitat for fish, otters, waterfowl and dragonflies.

Cons: Few. They would probably feed on trees such as oak, rowan and willow, but would unlikely to result in deforestation- their impact would be similar to coppicing.

Where: With wild beavers established in a small corner of Scotland, English conservationists are currently carrying out a ‘trial’ release in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire; it’s a lovely part of the country with rolling hills, plenty of trees and clean rivers.

Brown Bear:

Status: Probably went extinct in the UK around 500 AD.

Pros: A charismatic species, definitely a draw for the tourists. But it won’t be as ecologically beneficial as the wolf, as they are more omnivore than carnivore.

Cons: They are dangerous to humans, despite the fact that North America’s 900,000 black and brown bear’s only kill an average of three people a year. They’re more likely to predate livestock; in fact one bear can kill up to 50 sheep in one night.

Where: Only where high sheep losses could be tolerated, and at present nowhere in the UK is suitable.