Claws are out over plans for lynx in Kielder
PROPOSALS to introduce lynx to Kielder Forest have been rejected by local residents.
Four out of five people surveyed said they opposed the Lynx UK Trust’s plans to release a small number of Eurasian lynx into the woodlands.
The trust says its proposals would promote balanced ecosystems and give the area a multi-million pound tourism boost.
But Hexham MP Guy Opperman said: “These survey results show that here in the communities in and around the Kielder Forest – among both residents and farmers – there is clear opposition.
“Previously the application was comprehensively rejected on multiple grounds by both Natural England and the Environment Secretary. It is clear that the same issues and lack of support which characterised the previous doomed application remain.
“I would urge the Lynx Trust to listen to the local community here in Northumberland and not to submit a further application.”
More than 600 questionnaires were sent to residents in the Upper North Tyne area.
So far over one third have been returned, with 179 saying they do not want lynx in Kielder Forest, 17 backing the idea and 11 saying they did not have strong views either way.
John Riddle, county councillor for Bellingham, said: “The results of this community survey demonstrate once again that there is overwhelming local opposition to the idea.”
The Devon-based Lynx UK Trust is in the process of finalising a new application to release three Swedish Lynx into the Kielder Forest. This will be the second application within three years.
The trust’s first application
was rejected in 2018 by thenEnvironment Secretary Michael Gove, following advice from Natural England.
He cited concerns about the “overall feasibility” of the projects, and said the trust had failed to demonstrate “local buy-in” to the project.
Some sheep farmers warned the cats might target their livestock, instead of keeping a check on deer populations as intended.
The Lynx UK Trust said the risk to sheep is small, with each lynx expected to kill less than one a year.
It argues that introducing lynx would benefit the local tourist industry as the lockdown begins to end and people are allowed to go on holiday again.
Tony Juniper, the new head of Natural England, told The Telegraph newspaper in February he would like to consider reintroduction of the lynx, which haven’t been seen in England for around 1,300 years.