Views wanted on plans to bring back wild lynx
REINTRODUCING lynx to Northumberland would help boost biodiversity in the UK, according to one of the key ecologists behind the project.
The Missing Lynx Project is currently holding roadshow events across the North East to gather views from the public on the potential reintroduction of the Eurasian lynx to parts of the county as well as neighbouring Cumbria and Southern Scotland.
The project is a new partnership between Northumberland Wildlife Trust (NWT), The Lifescape Project and the Wildlife Trusts exploring the possibility of reintroducing the predator. It argues that earth’s wildlife populations have plunged by 69% since 1970, while the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries on the planet. Lynx were once native to the UK but went extinct in the early middle ages.
Ecologist Dr Deborah Brady is the project manager of the Missing Lynx Project. Speaking at the Missing Lynx exhibition in Tarset, she explained the aim of the public events.
She said: “The point of the exhibitions is to travel around the area close to where people live and welcome them in and to allow them to find out more about lynx as an animal, what the history is, and what is happening with reintroduction projects in Europe.
“We want to address people’s questions about lynx – lots of people aren’t aware that the lynx was a native species from the last ice age for thousands of years. Even though it was lost in Medieval times, that’s still quite recent.
“We have lost so much nature. We are in a biodiversity crisis and a nature crisis, and in the UK we’re particularly bad.”
Dr Brady also insisted that the proposals would go no further if the project could not persuade the public to back the reintroduction.
She added: “We feel that reintroducing the lynx might be a sensible thing to do ecologically, but it could only ever happen if there was public support.
“The aim of the exhibition is to open up the conversation and find out what people think.
“There’s lots of different ways to get involved – there’s a questionnaire, attendees can be interviewed or they can come to workshops where people can learn more about the project and give their opinions.
“There’s lots of opportunity for one-to-one conversations to happen and for the project to really find out what people think.
“We’re also going to have farming and business focus groups. If the public support isn’t there, it won’t go forward.”
Nature Recovery Manager at Northumberland Wildlife Trust Katy Barke urged the public to attend one of the events, which are being held across the region throughout the spring and summer.
She said: “We’re really encouraging people to come and visit and see what it is all about. It’s a familyfriendly event and it’s a good day out – we would love to meet you.”
The exhibitions will be staffed by a number of volunteers and staff from the partnership. One of the volunteers, Ian Coultas, explained why he was getting involved.
He said: “I’m a long-serving volunteer on a number of things with the Wildlife Trust, one of which is with the ospreys at Kielder so I’m interested in wildlife at the area.
“I’m generally in favour of sensible reintroduction of species that we have got rid off – sometimes deliberately and sometimes accidentally.”
■ The Missing Lynx Project’s website has a full list of events happening throughout the year. Free tickets can also be booked via the website.