‘We don’t call them woolly maggots’: how wildlife campaigners put sheep at heart of rewilding plans

Sheep are widely criticised by conservationists for destroying rare plants and trees in Britain’s uplands. Photograph: David Tomlinson/Getty Images

Woolly maggots, nature-destroyers – sheep are criticised by many conservationists for denuding Britain’s uplands of rare plants and trees.

So The Wildlife Trusts were shocked when they were compelled to buy 4,000 sheep as part of the biggest land restoration project in England.