The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Lynx could soon be on the prowl again in the Cairngorms
Three Scots locations proposed
Three locations in Scotland – including one in the Cairngorms – have been identified as sites for a proposed reintroduction of the lynx after an absence of centuries.
Farmers and conservationists have voiced concerns over the threat to livestock and wildlife. The Lynx UK Trust insists Scotland’s woodland could sustain 400 of the cats, help control over-populated deer herds and generate eco-tourism revenue and rural jobs.
They claim the potential threat to sheep, in particular, has been overplayed, but insist any loss of livestock would be compensated at a value higher than their worth.
Consultation dates have been announced for next month near to the proposed release sites, in Glen Feshie in the Cairngorms, Kintyre Peninsula in Argyll, and Queen Elizabeth Forest region, north of Glasgow.
Chief scientific adviser Paul O’Donoghue said: “We’ve spent about 18 months looking at habitats across Scotland and talking to various stakeholders.
“Based on ecological factors like deer density and habitat suitability, these three areas have been identified for much more intensive consultation with local communities.
“This will ultimately lead to a multiple site application to Scottish Natural Heritage to carry out a trial reintroduction of Eurasian lynx.
“We recognise sheep farmers’ concerns, though farming unions have overstated the threat. We will offer farmers a range of support with predator mitigation techniques, and providing full insurance against lynx predation. Besides ecological benefits, there are clear examples of lynx bringing phenomenal eco-tourism revenue and jobs to remote rural areas which would benefit the entire local community, particularly tourism and hospitality businesses.”
The trust is focusing on Scotland, after its proposal to reintroduce the lynx into Keilder Forest, Northumberland, was rejected last year by Defra Secretary Michael Gove.
Martin Kennedy, NFU Scotland vice-president said: “Our members have huge concerns. On a study trip to Norway an NFUS delegation heard that, in 2016, Norwegian authorities paid out compensation on 20,000 sheep lost to predators.
“Wolverine accounted for around 34% of losses, with the lynx, bear and wolf accounting for 21%, 15% and 9% respectively.
“Our members are already having to deal with the negative consequences of the reintroduction of white-
“Advocates of reintroduction downplay the risks”
tailed eagles and the illegal reintroduction of beavers. In each case advocates of reintroduction downplay the risks.”
RSPB Scotland “strongly supports the idea of properly investigated reintroductions of species”, but added: “In respect of lynx we have yet to see any such proposal that meets what we would consider a minimum standard.”
Eileen Stuart, of SNH, said: “If Lynx UK Trust submit licence applications we will assess these. We are aware there are strong views about these proposals and, in the event that licence applications are submitted, would expect extensive consultation to take place to ensure plans take the views of the public, livestock and land managers into account along with any socio-economic and cross-border impacts.”