The pros and cons of bringing back the wild lynx
THE trust said the cats could boost the UK’s economy by up to £70m a year and control wildlife populations.
Chief scientific specialist Dr Paul O’Donoghue said: “The lynx can bring huge benefits to the Kielder region.
“We could see a wave of economic regeneration as it becomes known as the kingdom of the lynx, a unique eco-tourism destination right in the middle of Britain.
“We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from local businesses and it would be amazing to work with them developing that.”
Dr O’Donoghue added that the tourism boost could lead to the creation of new jobs, guided walks and wildlife watching activities in the area.
The lynx have been successfully reintroduced in other parts of the world, including Switzerland in the 1990s.
In Germany, 14 lynx were released at a site in the Harz mountains in 2000 and have since bred and colonised other areas.
And the trust believes the cats could have a similar impact on Kielder Forest.
Two years ago, analysis by consulting firm AECOM found using the animals as a natural method of controlling deer would benefit other wildlife.
It found the lynx would allow forests and woodlands to regenerate naturally and reinvigorate ecosystems.
It could also save an estimated £980,000 by reducing the number of deer-related road traffic accidents, the study said. Kielder if farming, grazing and human activity cannot continue as it has done for centuries in this area.”
The National Farmers’ Union Northumberland branch agrees it would damage the livelihoods of farmers.
A spokesman said: “The NFU is opposed to species reintroduction programmes that are not only expensive but have a high risk of failure.
“It is not clear that the selected English habitats are suitable for the species – in fact they seem unsuitable.
“The issues affecting livestock farmers have not been fully considered and the proposed compensation package does not consider all the negative impacts on farming.”