Reintroduction & Rewilding

[Sanju]

Wild lynx cats to be reintroduced in trial at this Scottish site
Six Eurasian lynx could be reintroduced to Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, near Aberfoyle under new plans.

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Lynx, which were hunted to extinction for their pelts in Britain 1300 years ago, can grow to 1.3 metres in length (Image: Chris Godfrey Photography/cgwp.co.uk)

Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, near Aberfoyle, is on a shortlist of sites earmarked for a trial re-introduction in Scotland of the Eurasian lynx.

Those backing the programme believe the medium-sized wildcats could control deer numbers and attract eco-tourists.
However, sheep farmers fear the animals could threaten their flocks.

Lynx, which were hunted to extinction for their pelts in Britain 1300 years ago, can grow to 1.3 metres in length and are about the size of a `skinny labrador’, according to Lynx UK Trust chief scientific advisor Paul O’ Donoghue.

They feed on large-size mammals and birds.

Efforts to bring back the lynx to Britain have not yet reached fruition, although an application to reintroduce them to Kielder Forest, Northumberland, is ongoing.
Lynx UK Trust has since 2017 been surveying Scotland in an effort to find potential release sites.

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Queen Elizabeth Forest Park by Aberfoyle
 https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scott...n=sharebar
This week they announced a programme of `intensive consultations’ with communities and businesses in and around the sites considered suitable.

Apart from the Oueen Elizabeth Forest Park, the other possible sites are Glen Feshie region, next to the Cairngorms National Park, and Kintyre Peninsula region in Argyll and Bute.

If the bid is successful , six lynx – four females and two males from Scandinavia – will be released in the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park.

Lynx Trust representatives will put their case for the introduction of the animals at a public drop-in meeting planned for March 6, between 2pm and 4pm, at Aberfoyle Community Centre,
Dr O’ Donoghue said independent scientific research has shown that Scotland’s forests could sustain around 400 of the cats. He said studies of places such as Germany’s Harz National Park had highlighted the benefits to tourism that could be brought about by lynx release.

“We’ve spent about 18 months looking at habitats across Scotland and talking to stakeholders about a trial reintroduction of lynx,” he said.

“Based on ecological factors like deer density and habitat suitability, these three areas have been identified for much more intensive consultation with communities. This will ultimately lead to a multiple site application to Scottish Natural Heritage to carry out a trial reintroduction of Eurasian lynx.

“In our opinion, lynx are UK animal species and belong in Scotland as much as the red squirrel. And we need these kinds of animals back because our ecosystems needs them and communities – who could benefit from the tourism potential they bring – also need them.”

Lynx Trust say no lynx attack on a human has ever been recorded anywhere.
 
It acknowledges, however, that lynx reintroduction is a controversial with sheep farmers worried that the cats would decimate herds,
Trust officials say, however, that numerous independent studies make clear sheep are an exceptionally rare target for lynx, even when the two live side by side.

Mr O’Donoghue said: “We recognise the concerns sheep farmers have, though farming unions have repeatedly over-stated the threat, even claiming that lynx could threaten the food security of the entire UK which is pure fantasy.

“I hope we can have a much improved consultation with farmers living and working in these areas to fully explain the threats in a factual manner, alongside a clear explanation of the benefits.

“We will be offering farmers a range of support with predator mitigation techniques, and providing full insurance against lynx predation. Lloyds of London, the largest insurance market in the world, will insure every sheep in Britain, and pay out above market rate compensation.

“Besides the ecological benefits, there are very clear real-world examples of lynx bringing phenomenal eco-tourism revenue and jobs to remote rural areas which would benefit the entire community, particularly tourism and hospitality businesses. Reply