Report Recommends Key Actions for Lynx Reintroduction in Scotland
A comprehensive 100-page report has been released today, providing a detailed analysis of a potential lynx reintroduction project in Scotland. The report outlines recommendations and conclusions agreed upon by a diverse group of 53 stakeholders, including farmer and landowner organizations, gamekeepers, foresters, tourism operators, and conservationists.
The National Lynx Discussion, which took place between May and November of last year, was organized by the Lynx to Scotland partnership and was facilitated by an expert from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Planning Specialist Group.
During the nine-month discussion, the group met 12 times for over 50 hours in total, engaging in deep and extensive discussions about lynx reintroduction. The discussions included lessons learned from previous lynx reintroductions in Europe, potential impacts on Scotland, and proposed key actions to avoid or manage any potential problems.
Steve Micklewright, chief executive of Trees for Life and a member of the stakeholder group, stated, “While not everyone who took part supports the return of lynx, we now have a clear understanding of what needs to be put in place if a reintroduction is to happen.” He continued, “The Lynx to Scotland partnership must now work out if and how the recommendations can be delivered, and take that out to local consultation when we have clear proposals.”
The stakeholder group addressed barriers and concerns identified in a previous social feasibility study on lynx reintroduction, including concerns about sheep farming, forestry operations, and lowland deer. The group reached their conclusions by consensus, without committing to supporting a reintroduction.
The stakeholders determined that there is plenty of suitable woodland and natural prey for a viable population of lynx to be established in the Highlands. They also acknowledged the potential economic benefits, primarily through eco-tourism, and the positive impact on endangered species by reducing the number of smaller predators, such as foxes, through lynx predation.
However, the group also recognized that lynx may prey on sheep and game birds, and could potentially affect forestry operations due to their protected species status. The most challenging impact could be on sheep farming, which was a major topic of discussion throughout the process.
Andrew Bauer, a member of the stakeholder group with experience in species reintroduction policy in Scotland, stated, “Our recommendations aim to address the fact that we agreed there could be negative impacts on some rural livelihoods if lynx were reintroduced without proper checks and balances to prevent problems or manage them.”
The group emphasized the importance of collaboration with all stakeholders throughout any reintroduction project, especially local communities. Recommendations for addressing potential sheep predation include payments for losses, coexistence measures, and a funded rapid response system to assist farmers in preventing recurring predation if it occurs.
The stakeholders also recognized the potential impact on game birds, but concluded that any project should have the necessary funding and resources to assist gamekeepers in deterring lynx from taking game birds.
Jamie Copsey of the IUCN Conservation Planning Specialist Group, who facilitated the National Lynx Discussion, stated, “I carry out these sorts of discussions throughout the world, and we make progress by focusing on facts and evidence, and listening to and respecting differing viewpoints, values, and concerns. That approach has been central to this initiative.”
The elusive and charismatic lynx, which is about the size of a Labrador, mainly preys on deer and poses no threat to humans. Lynx populations are recovering across Europe with the help of successful and well-planned reintroduction projects. However, Scotland, where hunting and habitat loss drove lynx to extinction in the Middle Ages, remains one of the few countries where lynx are still missing from their former range.
Any lynx reintroduction in Scotland would require approval from the Scottish Government after ecological assessments and a full public consultation. The Lynx to Scotland partnership, which includes Trees for Life, SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, and The Lifescape Project, will now work towards implementing the recommendations outlined in the report.
The full report, titled “Scotland’s national lynx discussion: Stakeholder views on key topics related to a potential reintroduction of the Eurasian lynx to the Scottish Highlands,” is available at www.scotlandbigpicture.com/lynx-to-scotland.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.