European elk are woodland foragers and wetland grazers, helping to promote the natural regeneration of woodland and maintain open clearings. They went extinct in the UK due to overhunting and a loss of habitat.

"This exciting project is working towards the possibility of reintroducing elk into two existing beaver enclosures in Derbyshire and Nottingham," in central England, said Rachel Bennett, deputy director of Wilder Landscapes and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, which applied for the funding alongside the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.

The Rewilding Britain charity approved the grant in the latest round of the Rewilding Innovation Fund, a twice-yearly fund supporting innovative rewilding efforts.

If approved, the move would bring elk and beavers together "for the first time in 3,000 years in the UK," Bennett said in a press release issued Wednesday.

"This project could demonstrate how this crucial ecosystem engineer can thrive in floodplain landscapes, shaping diverse habitats that benefit communities and support biodiversity recovery," she explained.

"It may also serve as a catalyst for engaging people in the long-term benefits of returning elk to the wild."

- 'Hopeful future' -

The wildlife trusts must now carry out extensive research, which could take up to three years, before a final decision on whether to licence the project is made by the government, a spokesperson for Derbyshire Wildlife Trust told AFP on Thursday.

"It's a complex process involving multiple stages of research and development, feasibility studies, impact assessments, and community consultations. By taking the time and effort to get it right, we can create a more hopeful future for everyone," said Rebecca Wrigley, chief executive of Rewilding Britain.

The plan follows a similar scheme to reintroduce bison to one of southeast England's largest areas of ancient woodland.

Three female bison were released into the countryside near Canterbury, Kent, in July 2022. A bull bison was introduced later and two baby bison have since been born.

"The reserve is teeming with life in areas that were once in darkness, and you can feel a renewed energy in the woodland," said bison ranger Hannah Mackins.

"This project shows the incredible power of nature to heal and gives us hope for the future," she added.