Ecotourism in Scotland could flourish with the reintroduction of wolves, mirroring the successful wolf-watching tourism industry seen in Spain.

The current lack of tree regeneration is primarily confined to fenced areas that exclude deer, indicating that effective deer management strategies are essential for promoting forest growth.

If the ecosystem is restored through wolf reintroduction, trees could potentially sequester an impressive 1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, contributing significantly to climate change mitigation.

A recent study from the University of Leeds suggests that reintroducing wolves to the Scottish Highlands could significantly enhance native woodland growth and sequester around 1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.

The research indicates that a stable wolf population of approximately 167 could effectively control the burgeoning red deer population, which currently hampers tree regeneration due to excessive grazing.

Wolves have been absent from Scotland for about 250 years, a period during which the deer population surged from 450,000 to an estimated two million due to the lack of natural predators.

Lead author Professor Dominick Spracklen emphasized that addressing the intertwined crises of climate change and biodiversity loss requires the integration of natural processes, such as species reintroduction, to restore ecosystems.

Despite the potential ecological benefits of wolf reintroduction, local charities are voicing concerns about possible human-wildlife conflicts, underscoring the importance of public engagement before any reintroduction efforts are undertaken.

As an alternative to wolves, some experts propose the reintroduction of the less controversial Eurasian lynx, which could also serve as a keystone species for maintaining ecosystem health.

The debate surrounding wolf reintroduction is contentious, particularly among livestock farmers and deer stalkers, who worry about livestock safety, yet the financial and ecological advantages could be substantial, including increased ecotourism.

In recent years, Europe has witnessed a natural recovery of wolf populations, now exceeding 12,000 in Western Europe, with wolves beginning to repopulate their historical ranges, including densely populated areas.

The study highlights the necessity for integrated approaches to tackle both climate and biodiversity crises, advocating for species reintroduction as a viable solution.