Wildlife management

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust’s purpose is to secure nature’s recovery with the people of Gloucestershire. Therefore, we determine our position on wildlife management based on what is necessary to halt and reverse wildlife declines. Our goal is to restore ecosystems to increase biodiversity, and ultimately reduce the need for human intervention. 

Human activity has damaged our ecosystems - driving declines and in some cases the extinction of many top predators, including wolves, lynx, pine marten and birds of prey. In their absence, some species can dominate leading to declines in biodiversity. Deer, grey squirrels and wild boar occupy habitats where predators are largely missing. As a result, their numbers have grown substantially - resulting in a poorly-functioning ecosystem and serious damage to ancient woodlands, where their grazing can stop the trees of the future from establishing.  

Therefore, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust may sometimes decide to intervene and actively reduce wildlife populations. This may include invasive-non-native species, such as muntjac, signal crayfish, grey squirrel and Himalayan balsam or native species, such as, roe deer, which in the absence of a predator, are adversely affecting threatened habitats.  

Methods of reducing populations of target species will ideally be by non-lethal means wherever possible. However, sometimes as a last resort it is necessary to revert to lethal control so that other species, which are under threat, can survive.  

We know that some people will find this uncomfortable, and that many GWT supporters hold very strong views both for and against such action, but this is sometimes needed if we want Gloucestershire’s precious habitats to survive for future generations. 

Please know that decisions to intervene are not taken lightly, but GWT sees it as their responsibility to make difficult decisions if they are vital for nature’s recovery. Hopefully, one day in the not-too-distant future, our ecosystems will be restored and decisions such as this will no longer be necessary.