UK Conservation Work

Many species that were historically found in abundance in the UK have now disappeared from the country.

We’re working with our partners in the UK to reintroduce some of these animals back to the landscape and work with local communities to empower their connection to nature.

key UK species

166

establishing white stork population

estimated wildcat population

Our conservation work

What we're doing to help in the UK

Bringing white storks back to England

White storks disappeared from the UK hundreds of years ago. Historically, they would breed and nest in southern England, before some migrated south to Europe and Africa.

What we're doing to help

Through the release of rehabilitated storks, captive breeding programmes and population management, three areas across Sussex and Surrey are now home to hundreds of white storks. We’ve seen breeding success in many stork pairs, and our released birds have been spotted across Europe and northern Africa.
Monitoring released storks

Once storks are released, it is important to monitor their movements to ensure their health, safety and geographical range.

What we're doing to help

By tagging many of the released birds with GPS trackers, we can see their migration patterns in almost real-time, which allows us to see where they travel to, as well as monitor where else in the UK they fly to. Some storks have been seen flying to other areas, showing the potential of establishing stork populations across southern England.
Empowering nature connection

It is known that many people around the world feel disconnected from nature, through increasing built-up areas and a lack of opportunity to see wildlife.

What we're doing to help

The charismatic white stork is an important ambassador for nature connection in the UK. It is hoped that by seeing this unique and recognisable bird in England's skies once again, people will feel reconnected with the natural world.
Returning wildcats to the UK

Historically, European wildcats were found across the UK, but now there’s only one remaining population in the remote Scottish Highlands. Human persecution and hybridisation through breeding with feral cats led to its decline.

What we're doing to help

Alongside our partners, we’re assessing the feasibility of reintroducing the species to southern Britain. Together, we’re combining our skills and experience in species reintroductions, breeding wildcats, and rewilding environments to hopefully establish a self-sustaining wildcat population in suitable landscapes in England and/or Wales.
Captive breeding of wildcats

Before wildcats can be released, we need to ensure we have a healthy population in captivity that are suitable for release into the wild.

What we're doing to help

The Wildwood Trust currently hold a breeding group of wildcats. Their breeding successes and constant evaluation and monitoring of the cats mean we will have the knowledge and experience to successfully breed wildcats for release into the wild.

Our partners

The White Stork Project is in partnership with Durrell, the Knepp Estate, Cotswold Wildlife Park, Wadhurst Park, Wintershall Estate and Roy Dennis Foundation. Durrell, Wildwood Trust, and Vincent Wildlife Trust (VWT) are working together to establish a self-sustaining wildcat population in an ecologically suitable landscape in England and/or Wales.

Donors

The Peter Smith Charitable Trust | John Swire 1989 Charitable Trust

Species we're helping

White stork
European wildcat

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United Kingdom

Many species that were historically found in abundance in the UK have now disappeared from the country.

Our conservation work

What we're doing to help in the UK

Bringing white storks back to England

White storks disappeared from the UK hundreds of years ago. Historically, they would breed and nest in southern England, before some migrated south to Europe and Africa.

What we're doing to help

Monitoring released storks

Once storks are released, it is important to monitor their movements to ensure their health, safety and geographical range.

What we're doing to help

Empowering nature connection

It is known that many people around the world feel disconnected from nature, through increasing built-up areas and a lack of opportunity to see wildlife.

What we're doing to help

The charismatic white stork is an important ambassador for nature connection in the UK. It is hoped that by seeing this unique and recognisable bird in England's skies once again, people will feel reconnected with the natural world.

Returning wildcats to the UK

Historically, European wildcats were found across the UK, but now there’s only one remaining population in the remote Scottish Highlands. Human persecution and hybridisation through breeding with feral cats led to its decline.

What we're doing to help

Captive breeding of wildcats

Before wildcats can be released, we need to ensure we have a healthy population in captivity that are suitable for release into the wild.

What we're doing to help

The Wildwood Trust currently hold a breeding group of wildcats. Their breeding successes and constant evaluation and monitoring of the cats mean we will have the knowledge and experience to successfully breed wildcats for release into the wild.

Our partners

Donors

Species we're helping

Where we work

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