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Turtle Doves Return: England's Rewilding Success Story
9 Mar
Summary
- Knepp Estate's rewilding project has led to a surge in biodiversity.
- Endangered turtle dove numbers increased from two to 22 singing males.
- The rewilding effort transformed depleted farmland into a wildlife hotspot.
The Knepp Estate in West Sussex, England, has undergone a dramatic transformation from depleted farmland into a thriving biodiversity hotspot, showcasing the power of rewilding. Isabella Tree and Charlie Burrell initiated a rewilding project in 2001 on their 3,500-acre estate.
This initiative has led to a significant increase in wildlife populations. Notably, the number of singing male turtle doves, a threatened species, rose from just two in 2008 to 22 in 2024. Other successes include an 870% increase in dragonflies and damselflies and a 110% growth in butterfly species richness.
Before rewilding, the estate was unproductive and heavily in debt. By introducing free-roaming native animals and allowing natural processes, Knepp has become a haven for species like nightingales and purple emperor butterflies. The estate now thrives economically with eco-tourism and organic meat sales, demonstrating that rewilding can be both environmentally and financially successful.
