Chris Packham wants wolves back in the British countryside

Chris Packham wants wolves to return to the British countryside.

The ‘Springwatch’ presenter believes the UK could follow in the footsteps of the Netherlands and Romania by bringing back predators like wolves and lynx to the rural landscape in effort to keep prey levels at sustainable amounts.

The 61-year-old broadcaster told the ‘Trees A Crowd’ podcast: “It’s been done very successfully in Europe and people there are able to live alongside them."

Chris acknowledged his idea - however good it may be for the animal’s eco-system - might not take off due to “the social impact”.

He said: “Certainly, there are places in the UK where those species could be returned, but it’s not just about the landscape and the ecology - it’s about the social impact. We’re just not ready yet, unfortunately.”

The former ‘Really, Really Wild’ host admitted he hates seeing people who have “snared or shot” critters like beavers, who have been the subject of a successful reintroduction effort, "bragging" about their actions.

Chris said: “I go onto social media and see a picture of someone who has snared or shot or beaver, and they’re bragging about it. You just think, ‘It’s so difficult to make progress.' "

The naturalist recently hit out at “vandal” local authorities for cutting down more than 100 trees in secret at night in Devon’s Plymouth after 12,000 people signed a petition opposing the move.

Chris wrote on Twitter: “What the actual Plymouth City Council? What is the matter with you? What do you not understand? Despicable vandalism.”

He also expressed his disgust on social media at the “horrific plan” of an octopus farm.

Chris said: “A horrific plan for more factory farming of one of the most wonderful creatures . As much as I try to like humans as a species some of them truly make it hard . Yesterday Plymouth Councils ecocidal mania , this morning this . . . I am an angry man again. (sic)"