Elk Reintroduction Project Aims to Restore Species Absent from UK for Over 3,000 Years | Wildlife

Elk may rejoin the UK wildlife 3,000 years after vanishing. The British Wildlife Trusts are planning to reintroduce elk into two beaver habitats in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, to show that these animals should flourish in the wild. Elk, which are big semiaquatic deer, Prevented from finding space on British land due to over-hunting and habitat loss, are making a comeback in Scandinavia after being nearly wiped out across Europe. Prior to release, they will be kept in enclosures in protected areas. Staff working on the project believe this could boost local habitats and draw people into the benefits of conserving elk.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/may/07/elk-uk-rewilding-project-derbyshire-nottinghamshire