Koan Oak Altamirano Smith

I discovered a love for wolves when I read Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver, and I learned about rewilding. I’m home educated, and I’m doing a research project about wolf reintroduction to the UK.

For a long time, I have dreamed about being part of a team that helps to reintroduce wolves to the UK. At first, I thought I would have to wait until I became an adult. Then I met someone called Rina Quinlan, who works at Knepp Wildlands. She told me that wolf reintroduction might be happening sooner than I think. This made me realise that I may be able to help now.

In summer 2024, my friends and I wrote and performed a play told from animals’ perspectives. My character was Wolf. Some of the messages that I portrayed were that wolves are good for nature and ‘don’t believe the fairy tales’ because wolves don’t eat humans. I raised £64.20 to give to Trees For Life at Dundreggan. I visited Dundgreggan, where I met the Linx for Scotland Project Manager, Becky Priestly. Becky told me that lynx might be a precursor to wolf reintroduction in the UK.

I love wolves, and I really want to help bring them back to the UK. As part of my research, I went on a wolf quest in Veluwe, Netherlands, with Marc Wilbers from the Rewilding Academy. I am also going to meet Derek Gow and Nick Viney at Rewilding Coombeshead. As a young ambassador, I want to share my love of wolves with more people.