World

UK Plans Return of Elk After 3,000-Year Absence

Published MAY 8 2025

Story

Above: Elk graze along the snowy Hidden Lake trail in Rocky Mountain National Park, Sept. 24, 2016. Image credit: Steve Nehf/The Denver Post via Getty Images

The Facts

The Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trusts are planning to reintroduce European elk to mainland Britain, marking the potential return of the species to the country since its extinction 3,000 years ago, following successful reintroductions of beavers, bison, and white-tailed eagles.
France 24
Express.co.uk
The project is made possible by Rewilding Britain, a charity established in 2015, which has pledged £180,000 ($238,000) to support the elk reintroduction along with 12 other rewilding projects through the Rewilding Innovation Fund, which has donated over £830,000 to 68 projects since 2021.
Rewilding Britain
European elk, closely related to North American moose, can weigh up to 700kg (110 stone) and act as ecosystem engineers through their grazing habits, helping to promote natural woodland regeneration and maintain open clearings in wetland environments.
Express.co.uk
guardian
Elk were originally wiped out in Britain due to overhunting and habitat loss, and are currently listed under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, meaning any return would be tightly controlled.
The Times (UK)
France 24
Legislation.gov.uk
The plan is to introduce the animals into two existing beaver habitats at Wellington Wetlands in Derbyshire and Idle Valley in Nottinghamshire, with the potential that the elk could be allowed to roam the wild more freely over the next 20 to 30 years.
The Telegraph
The Times (UK)
guardian

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

The reintroduction of elk to the United Kingdom would be a great leap forward in the country’s rewilding effort. This keystone species can help combat climate change by maintaining wetlands and promoting natural woodland regeneration. Their presence could also boost local economies through ecotourism opportunities, creating a win-win situation for both nature and communities.

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust

Narrative B

Reintroducing large wild animals requires careful consideration of public safety and agricultural impacts. The elk's significant territorial range, potential disease transmission to livestock, and the need for extensive habitat restoration present major challenges. The UK currently lacks sufficient wetland habitats to support free-roaming elk populations, making immediate widespread reintroduction impractical.