Rewilding: What? And why?
November 26th, 2025
Rewilding is not a return to some imagined past—it is a deliberate effort to restore the living processes that make ecosystems resilient, even as it navigates the intricate realities of ecology and human society.
Rewilding is a conservation approach that aims not just to protect species, but to restore the ecological processes that sustain life. Far from a nostalgic fantasy, rewilding is increasingly seen as a practical strategy for addressing biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and even climate challenges. At its core, rewilding is about restoring processes that have been lost. Large herbivores can influence vegetation structure, predators regulate prey populations, and ecosystem engineers like beavers and termites fundamentally alter nature’s functioning, often creating cascading effects that ripple through ecosystems.
Marine Drouilly is Regional Coordinator for Wild Cat Surveys and Research in West and Central Africa with the global conservation organization “Panthera”. Her work is dedicated to protecting wild cats and the ecosystems they depend on, and she is familiar with the challenges associated with carnivore reintroductions. She says the key is understanding both ecological and social interactions: it’s not enough to simply reintroduce a species; the broader system must be able to support it, environmentally and in terms of how people interact with it. This attention to socio-ecological dynamics distinguishes thoughtful rewilding from symbolic gestures, ensuring that interventions are meaningful and self-sustaining.
And rewilding is as much a social endeavor as an ecological one. Human activity intersects with every ecosystem, and the reintroduction of large animals inevitably raises questions about land use, livelihoods, and safety. Drouilly emphasizes that successful projects depend on collaboration with local communities, highlighting that ecological success cannot be separated from social acceptance. Engaging stakeholders early and listening to their concerns can transform potential conflicts into shared stewardship, making rewilding a cooperative process rather than a top-down imposition.
Rewilding is also deeply contextual. Habitats, governance structures, and cultural attitudes vary widely, so strategies that work in one region may not translate directly to another. Drouilly stresses that flexibility is essential: principles of rewilding are broadly applicable, but local conditions should guide every decision. In this way, rewilding is not a one-size-fits-all prescription; it is a mindset, a willingness to engage with the complexity and nuance of each landscape.
Despite the challenges, the potential of rewilding is compelling. Beyond biodiversity recovery, it can reconnect fragmented habitats, enhance ecosystem services, and foster public engagement with nature. Perhaps most importantly, it encourages a shift in perspective—from managing and controlling the natural world to participating in its processes. It’s a vision that asks us to rethink our place in the web of life, and the responsibilities that come with it.
For more, take a listen to episode 61 of The Case for Conservation Podcast. Future episodes (and perhaps some past ones) will also be featured own blog form on Substack from December 2025 onwards.