Rewilding Mols at the Mols Laboratory was inaugurated on November 26, 2016, and is one of the most ambitious rewilding projects in Denmark. Covering 120 hectares, it is modest in size, but the nature is more diverse and species-rich than in most other places, and the degree of human intervention has been reduced to a minimum.
In Rewilding Mols, a population of Exmoor ponies and Galloway cattle was released in the autumn of 2016, living as wild as possible. The population is contained by a standard three-strand fence, which can easily be crossed by all other species. The horses and cattle can reproduce freely and establish herds and territories. They must therefore compete for resources. Legislation requires that the animals thrive, so if there are concerns about the welfare of individual animals, they are removed from the population. These are either given away or euthanized.
Rewilding Mols is being monitored by researchers from both Denmark and abroad, and a comprehensive research infrastructure with control areas has been established to compare the project's effects with previous land management. So far, the rewilding project appears to have led to a significant richness of flowers and pollinating insects, as well as a high variation in vegetation.
The entire area is open to the public, and many guided tours are held. Please note that the horses and cattle live wild, are quite shy, and never approach people. Feeding them is strictly prohibited, and visitors must always keep a safe distance from the animals.
