The lynx effect? Lloyds have it covered
AS the reintroduction of lynx to Scotland becomes ever more likely, you could be forgiven for being slightly nervous about venturing into their territory.
But if you do bump into one of the wild cats during a stroll in the countryside, at least you will be insured if it’s in an aggressive mood.
Lloyds of London has made £5million available to cover ‘every person, pet and sheep’ in the UK against attack if campaigners receive the go-ahead to release six of the big cats into the wild this year.
Lynx UK hopes to re-establish the animals into Northumberland’s Kielder Forest, the largest man-made woodland in England which lies close to the border with Scotland. They will be closely monitored with satellite tracking and radio collars.
An exact date for the reintroduction has yet to be announced but farming associations have opposed the plans. Phil Stocker, chief executive of the National Sheep Association, said: ‘It is all very well setting up an insurance based compensation scheme for the duration of the project but what happens after that point and when lynx numbers have increased?
‘Furthermore, the farmer may never see the remains and is unlikely to want to go through an insurance claims process where the first thing they will ask for is evidence.
‘But even more important than all this is the stress and worry that farmers will need to live with knowing a lynx is in the area and that their sheep are at risk.’
The six Eurasian lynx will consist of two males and four females. Each female can produce up to four kittens every year.
Lynx UK is also in talks with landowners about a trial reintroduction in Argyll and Inverness-shire, with some animals possibly barely 30 miles from Glasgow.
The trust claims figures from across Europe show lynx have a ‘negligible impact on sheep populations’ but it has promised ‘above market rate compensation’ for any attacks.
Dr Paul O’Donoghue, the trust’s chief scientific adviser, said: ‘This will hopefully give farmers confidence if the largest insurance market in the world is offering to cover any attacks on livestock by lynx during a trial.’
As well as hunting, it is believed that the lynx was lost as a result of habitat loss.
The National Farmers Union countryside adviser Claire Robinson said: ‘There is no evidence that lynx will stay within woodland or forestry.’
A Lloyds spokesman said: ‘I believe this is the first time insurance has been used to assist a reintroduction project in the UK.’