Rewilding and the UK's Dangerous Wild Animals Act

The DWAA requires local authorities to be satisfied that listed species are securely contained and do not pose a risk to the public. However, there is limited guidance on what this means in the context of large-scale rewilding projects.

For projects such as the reintroduction of European bison at Wilder Blean, this uncertainty has resulted in significant costs and restrictions, including specialised perimeter fencing and limitations on public access. Yet elsewhere in Europe (such as in the Netherlands), similar projects have demonstrated that these animals can be effectively secured using standard stock fencing, while still allowing public access and protecting public safety.

Working with the Large Herbivore Working Group, we’re helping local authorities understand how the DWAA can be applied proportionately in rewilding contexts, drawing on evidence and experience from across Europe.

An important legal question for species reintroductions concerns how the DWAA interacts with legislation governing the release of native species into the wild.

Natural England and Defra have publicly expressed the view that the DWAA restricts the release of listed species into the wild. Through our Rewilding Legal Innovation Lab, we’ve been examining this issue in detail and exploring how the DWAA should be interpreted alongside wildlife licensing and other applicable regimes. As the lead organisation in the Missing Lynx Project, we are working to clarify these legal questions and navigate the regulatory framework associated with a potential lynx reintroduction in Northumberland.

We’re very interested in discussing these issues with others who are considering them in order to share approaches and experience.

Get in touch with our team