South Africa, January 2026

Rewilding

South Africa, January 2026 — Rewilding

South Africa, January 2026 — Rewilding

1024 768 Michael Reid Books

Before returning to Africa, I had become familiar with the concept of “rewilding”.

It refers to landscapes and the reintroduction of animals and other living things that were formerly driven-out or exterminated.

But I wonder now what this important phenomenon for environmental conservation and the preservation of species in the natural world has to do with us.

If we broaden our initial reaction to the word “animal” or “wild”, can we also be rewilded? Humanity, civility, spirit, love. Should we? And if so, how?

What effect might it have on us (as individuals) and on others (in community)?

What happens when we  serve as facilitators or witnesses to the rewilding of the animal kingdom?

What about the rewilding of each other and the rewilding of ourselves?