SCOTLAND could soon have three sites for the reintroduction of the lynx breed of cat which became extinct here some 1300 years ago.
The Lynx UK Trust announced yesterday that they have identified Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, Glen Feshie and the Kintyre Peninsula as possible sites for the Eurasian lynx to be reintroduced.
A “lynx roadshow” will tour the areas as part of consultations with local communities. Meetings will be held in Tarbert Village Hall, Kinlochard Centre in Aberfoyle and Kincraig Community Hall on March 5, 6 and 7 respectively from 2pm to 4pm each day.
The trust stated: “Independent scientific research has shown that Scotland’s forest could sustain around 400 of the cats, which ecologists believe could help control the UK’s over-populated deer herds, leading to a regeneration of forest ecosystems that would benefit all of the UK’s native wildlife.”
The trust has also outlined the potential for lynx to bring eco-tourism revenue to remote rural communities, based on case studies of lynx reintroductions in Germany’s Harz national park.
Lynx UK Trust’s chief scientific adviser Paul O’Donoghue said: “We’ve spent about 18 months looking at habitats across Scotland and talking to various stakeholders about a trial reintroduction of lynx. 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.”
The trust says no lynx attack on a human has ever been recorded anywhere, though lynx reintroduction is a controversial issue with sheep farming unions concerned that the cats would decimate herds. Numerous independent studies, though, show that sheep are a rare target for lynx.
O’Donoghue added: “We certainly recognise the concerns that 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.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Wildlife Trust said: “Reintroducing apex predators such as the lynx could help restore Scotland’s natural ecosystems. The trust is working with others to develop the case for a lynx reintroduction over the next five years. Political and stakeholder support is an essential part of the process.”
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