Rewilding the Planet: Nature’s Quiet Comeback

From wolves to wetlands—how rewilding is reshaping the Earth.

Author

Philip Saparov
May 13, 2025

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Greetings, explorer of our changing world,

Imagine rivers running clear, wildlife returning, and tired landscapes springing back to life. That’s the power of rewilding—a growing global movement giving nature the chance to heal.

From farmlands in Scotland to ranchlands in Argentina, people are stepping back so ecosystems can reset. The result? Healthier landscapes, stronger local economies, and new ways of thinking about where and how we live.

In this edition, we explore seven places where rewilding is already reshaping the future.

Let’s take a look at what happens when we let the wild return.

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Once tamed, the continent is going wild again—on purpose.

Europe, with its long history of agriculture and industry, might not seem like the place for wilderness revival. But don’t let the cobblestone streets fool you—Europe is becoming a rewilding powerhouse.

The Netherlands, one of the world’s most densely populated countries, is reintroducing wild horses and red deer into the Oostvaardersplassen, a wetland ecosystem created from reclaimed land. Spain is bringing back the Iberian lynx, once down to fewer than 100 individuals. Now, over 1,000 roam its forests—thanks to breeding programs and habitat recovery.

And in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains, European bison are grazing again after a 200-year absence. Local villagers are turning former logging jobs into eco-tourism income, guiding travelers to track these gentle giants.

🔍 Fascinating fact: Wildlife populations across Europe have increased by nearly 30% in the past decade—an ecological reversal few thought possible in such a human-shaped landscape.

How one species transformed an entire national park.

When wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone in 1995, no one expected them to reshape the park’s geography. But that’s exactly what happened.

By thinning elk herds, the wolves allowed overgrazed willows and aspens to recover. Those trees stabilized riverbanks, cooled the water, and brought back beavers, who built dams that further slowed erosion. Songbirds returned. Coyotes declined. Even the paths of rivers changed.

Today, Yellowstone is a living lab showing how a single species—an apex predator—can trigger a cascade of ecological healing. And it’s not just Yellowstone. This model is being studied and replicated in parts of Europe, Africa, and the UK.

💡 Did you know? Some researchers now refer to wolves as "ecosystem engineers"—a title usually reserved for species like beavers or ants.

Where wildlife returns—and so do jobs, schools, and hope.

Rewilding in Africa isn’t just about bringing back wildlife. It’s about reviving economies and empowering people.

In Namibia and Kenya, former poaching grounds have been transformed into community conservancies. These locally managed reserves are now home to elephants, rhinos, lions—and a new generation of eco-entrepreneurs. Revenue from wildlife tourism funds schools, clinics, and infrastructure.

Kenya’s Northern Rangelands Trust, for instance, partners with 43 community conservancies covering 11% of the country. Wildlife populations are up. So are incomes. Locals are trained not just as rangers, but as drone pilots and data analysts monitoring animal movements.

🌍 Amazing fact: Namibia now has more wild animals outside its national parks than inside them—because locals have a direct stake in protecting them.

Once ranchland, now a rewilded haven of pumas and condors.

What happens when billionaires give land back to nature? You get Patagonia’s stunning rewilding success.

Doug and Kris Tompkins—former CEOs of North Face and Patagonia—purchased millions of acres across Chile and Argentina and handed it over to national park systems. They removed fences, tore out roads, and reintroduced native animals like the huemul deer and the majestic Andean condor.

Tourism has boomed. Locals who once worked in cattle and sheep ranching now guide hikers, manage eco-lodges, and protect wildlife. And the biodiversity is bouncing back—fast.

📈 By the numbers: Argentina’s rewilded Iberá Wetlands now generate more revenue from tourism than the land ever did from cattle ranching.

From backyard beavers to wild boars—Britain goes bold.

Britain may be known for its orderly gardens, but wild is making a comeback. The Knepp Estate in West Sussex turned from a struggling farm into one of the UK’s most famous rewilding projects. Wild pigs, deer, and even storks now roam the land, with native plants and insects thriving in their wake.

In Scotland, discussions are heating up around reintroducing lynx—a native predator absent for 1,300 years. Meanwhile, the Scottish Highlands are seeing a rise in golden eagles and pine martens, thanks to forest regrowth and habitat protections.

And don’t overlook the humble beaver. Once extinct in the UK, beavers are back in the wild—and doing wonders for water management.

🌿 Unexpected twist: The UK’s Environment Agency now uses beaver dams as a climate adaptation tool—they reduce flood risk during storms and store water during droughts.

In the world’s most populated continent, green is growing.

In Asia, rewilding takes many shapes—and sometimes wears the cloak of “reforestation.” But the results are profound.

China’s “Grain for Green” program has reforested an area larger than Italy—30 million hectares—since the late 1990s, helping reverse erosion and cut air pollution. In Bhutan, a nation with negative carbon emissions, over 70% of land remains forested. And they’re adding more.

India’s tiger reintroduction in Panna National Park is another rewilding victory. Once declared tiger-less, the park now boasts over 60 individuals. The recovery of prey species like deer and antelope has brought balance back to the forest ecosystem.

🌲 Something to ponder: Bhutan’s constitution mandates that at least 60% of the country remain under forest cover—forever.

Yes, you can rewild a city—and it may just change your life.

Rewilding isn’t only about remote mountains or national parks. It’s happening in our neighborhoods.

Paris is transforming old railway tracks into green corridors that let insects, birds, and small mammals move freely across the city. In Singapore, rooftop jungles and vertical gardens cool skyscrapers and shelter pollinators. And in London, initiatives like “rewild my street” help residents convert pavement into mini-ecosystems.

These efforts don’t just look good—they reduce stress, improve air quality, and increase property values. Urban rewilding is now recognized as a legitimate public health strategy.

🌼 Uplifting fact: People living near urban wild areas report 20–25% higher well-being—and even lower rates of anxiety and depression, according to recent studies.

Rewilding isn’t about going back in time—it’s about moving forward with wisdom. It’s a reminder that healing is possible, not just for nature, but for communities, economies, and maybe even ourselves. Because when we make room for the wild, we often find space for something else, too: renewal.

Until next time, stay curious and keep an eye out for the places where nature is writing its comeback story.

Warm regards,
Shane Fulmer
Founder, WorldPopulationReview.com

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