Lynx likely to predate on sheep and lambs if reintroduced, study finds
Scotland's National Lynx Discussion found that sheep and other small livestock in or near wooded areas are more vulnerable to such predation.
It suggested an effective management system could include paying farmers for losses and co-existence, with relocation or lethal control as 'necessary components' of any framework to manage the issue.
The report also found that lynx could have a 'significant' impact on gamebirds in places where the species come into contact, though they are unlikely to play a major part in the animals' diet at a national level.
But it found there is 'sufficient quantity and quality of habitat' in Scotland to support a viable lynx population.
And the report said that the predators, while not a 'silver bullet', could help with deer population control and could help other species.
The report outlines conclusions and recommendations agreed following a nine-month discussion which involved 53 stakeholders including farming and landowner organisations, gamekeepers, conservationists, foresters and tourism operators.
The National Lynx Discussion was organised by the Lynx to Scotland partnership which is assessing the feasibility of reintroducing the Eurasian lynx to the Scottish Highlands for the first time in about 1,300 years.
Steve Micklewright, chief executive of Trees for Life and a member of the stakeholder group, said: 'We met 12 times for over 50 hours in total. Deep and extensive discussions allowed us to learn lessons from lynx reintroductions in Europe, assess possible impacts if lynx are returned to Scotland, and recommend key actions to avoid or manage potential problems.
'While not everyone who took part supports the return of lynx, we now have a clear understanding of what needs to be put in place if a reintroduction is to happen.
'The Lynx to Scotland partnership must now work out if and how the recommendations can be delivered, and take that out to local consultation when we have clear proposals.'
When considering the impact on deer populations the report said that lynx could help achieve a more 'natural balance of species' within the ecosystem, though noted that they are unlikely to replace culling by humans or the impact of weather.
They may also have a positive impact on species of conservation concern such as capercaillie, black grouse and wildcats by preying on 'mesopredators', particularly foxes.
The report acknowledged that there might be 'some concern around the public safety aspect of having a large carnivore in the landscape.'
However, it noted that lynx are 'secretive animals which are rarely encountered by humans in the wild in their current natural range' and said there are no recorded instances of healthy lynx attacking people.
The report stated that lynx pose no realistic threat to humans and said the predators 'should not discourage anyone from letting their children play in the woods'.
It also noted that despite their elusive nature the presence of lynx could boost income from tourism.
Evidence from Europe suggests that merely the knowledge that a large carnivore exists in the landscape is enough to increase visitor numbers and significantly increase tourism income, according to the report.
Any reintroduction of lynx would need approval from the Scottish Government, which would follow ecological assessments and a full public consultation.
Stakeholder group member Andrew Bauer, who has experience of species reintroduction policy in Scotland, said: 'Our recommendations aim to address the fact that we agreed there could be negative impacts on some rural livelihoods if lynx were reintroduced without proper checks and balances to prevent problems or manage them.'
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The Independent
a day ago
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Labrador-sized big cat could be reintroduced into wild in UK within two years
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a day ago
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England wildlife regulator chair ‘enthusiastic' about Lynx rewilding
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'Unless he has been living under a rock for the past 30 years, Tony Juniper must know that sheep farmers will never change their position on lynx reintroduction, making more calls for more engagement utterly futile,' he said. 'The sad and stark truth is that currently the government are actively blocking any legal attempt at lynx reintroduction.' As well as the draft application from the Lynx UK Trust, two other charitable collaborations are conducting consultations over lynx reintroduction. The Missing Lynx Project is exploring the feasibility of reintroducing the carnivore to Kielder, while the Lynx to Scotland partnership last month produced a 100-page report after consulting 53 stakeholders including farmer interests about a potential return to the Cairngorms. The report identified potential conflict between lynx and sheep farmers and recommended payments for losses and coexistence, as well as a funded rapid-response system for farmers experiencing sheep predation. Any reintroduction in Scotland requires approval from the Scottish government after another public consultation and ecological assessments. Four lynx were illegally released in the Cairngorms in January, with one dying and three females recaptured and rehomed at the Highland Wildlife Park. Rogue rewilders were blamed, but the animals were tame and many believe they were simply released from a private collection. O'Donoghue said the Kielder reintroduction area in England – where Lynx UK Trust had an application declined in 2018 – would be ideal, offering the spacious landscape that most benefits lynx in a forest environment with relatively few sheep-farming interests. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion 'I have no idea why the government are so scared of lynx. Lynx have naturally recolonised countries such as Belgium and the Netherlands with great celebration and no issues,' he said. 'Lynx are proven drivers of both economic and ecological restoration. They would generate millions of pounds every year to the local economy in Kielder, providing both green, sustainable jobs and improving the health and resilience of forest ecosystems. In Germany, a reintroduction in the Harz mountains has been so successful that a second reintroduction is now planned in Bavaria.' Juniper agreed that lynx reintroductions such as that in Harz had boosted regional economies with lynx-related tourism. Juniper also sits on the board of the Fauna & Flora charity which has projects helping Romanian farmers coexist with the wolf and bear. Juniper added: 'It's not so much about the ecology of whether these animals would have enough to eat or whether they'd have a big enough home range, it's much more about the social conditions that they arrive in and the attitudes of the communities that would live with them. And so we probably do need to do some more work there to be able to get to that point. But that's work in progress and people are working on that and Natural England is talking to those folks who are doing some of that work.' Asked about a potential legal challenge over the latest lynx reintroduction application, a Defra spokesperson said: 'This government is absolutely committed to restoring and protecting nature and we support species. We will continue to work with Natural England on species reintroductions in England.' It is understood that the government wants more evidence of the effects of the management of large predators before any reintroduction is considered. O'Donoghue added: 'The fact that the UK is one of the only countries in the world without an apex predator should be a source of huge shame for the government. We are in a biodiversity crisis. It is time for the greenwashing and needless conversations to stop and for real actions to occur. 'It really is a no-brainer. Lynx are the perfect predator to reintroduce as they pose zero threat to humans yet provide so many societal benefits.'
