Biodiversity is so important, and I think we as a global society are finally understanding the cause and effects of our actions and better know how we can work towards repairing some of the damage that has been caused to the many varied environs of our planet. I have been reading through RSPB Spotlight: Foxes which mentions the effect foxes, deer, lynx, coyotes and wolves have upon each other. For example: reintroducing Timber Wolves in Yellowstone National Park lowered the coyote population and forced deer to migrate around the park or even avoid certain areas, which in turn helped the flora regenerate; this brought on an increase in mice, rabbits, foxes, weasels, beavers, badgers, owls, songbirds, eagles, hawks and bear populations. Here. How Wolves Change Rivers. I do not see any negatives to reintroducing what once were native species, the only thing that stands in the way is, as you say, the prejudices and stigma associated with these beautiful animals.
I think most if not all of the negatives are fiction. The lack of understanding is holding back a genuine fix to our biodiversity problems. There is a desire to find a human fix to environmental issues with complete disregard for nature's ability to regenerate when given the right conditions. What needs to be first understood is the natural relationship between flora and fauna that you have mentioned. We have the power to establish the sort of conditions necessary for natural regeneration which can allow us to take a step back and let the wildlife make it right.
While I think the idea of reintroducing wolves back into their native habitats is an exciting idea, I feel it's very important to not undervalue and wave off the concerns some people have. One of the things a lot of people don't realize is that wildlife is in our world just as much as we're in theirs and sometimes it causes genuine friction. There's the general nuisances you get from time to time, like rabbits in your vegetable garden, raccoons in your trash, or mice coming into your house in the winter, but there are also more serious situations as well. Cougars have been known to joggers and children playing in the park, coyotes go after livestock and domesticated pets, moose get terribly aggressive during mating season, and on and on. Some things, like shark attacks, are overblown, but the risks we take when we live among wildlife is very real. It's important, in conversations like this, to acknowledge that so we can open up a dialog with people to help address their concerns and come up with solutions. Otherwise, you'll have situations where people constantly freak out about shark attacks when they're one of the more rare animal encounters that occur.I think most if not all of the negatives are fiction. The lack of understanding is holding back a genuine fix to our biodiversity problems.
You're right in saying that concerns need to be addressed, though I think that most concerns are unfounded and are bred from fear that leads to exaggeration of events and incidents. Wolves are the biggest concern in the UK and the primary concern when discussing their reintroduction is the threat to livestock . Have a look at this page on wolf conservation. It gives a good example of how the facts can be exaggerated when emotion comes in to play. That's not to say that concerns with other animals are much more serious, though from a UK perspective there doesn't seem to be much to worry about. Fear of our natural wildlife is more akin to the fear of sharks that you mentioned.
Indeed. The problem is, public perception often drives policies on these issues, so education is very important to help combat a lot of those fears. As for farmers directly and the loss of livestock, that's what insurance is for.Fear of our natural wildlife is more akin to the fear of sharks that you mentioned.