A MAJOR new report has provided the most detailed analysis yet of what a lynx reintroduction project in Scotland would need to do to ensure lynx and people could coexist.
The report outlined several conclusions and recommendations agreed following a nine-month discussion which involved 53 stakeholders, including farming and landowner organisations, gamekeepers, conservationists, foresters and tourism operators.
The most likely and challenging impacts could be to sheep farming, and this was a major topic of discussion throughout the process.
Ten key points include:
- There is plenty of suitable woodland and natural prey for a viable population of lynx to be established in the Highlands.
- Lynx pose no realistic threat to humans.
- There are positive economic benefits, mainly through eco-tourism.
- Some endangered wildlife like capercaillie might benefit due to lynx taking smaller predators, especially foxes.
- Lynx would take sheep and game birds such as pheasants in Scotland.
- Their reintroduction might affect forestry operations due to lynx having protected species status.
- Lynx should not be thought of as a "silver bullet" to provide natural deer control.
- Upland red deer stalking interests should be little affected.
- There are potential wellbeing benefits by returning a sense of wildness to the landscape.
- The project could provide hope for tackling the nature and climate emergencies.
Steve Micklewright, chief executive of Trees for Life and a member of the stakeholder group, said: “We met 12 times for over 50 hours in total. Deep and extensive discussions allowed us to learn lessons from lynx reintroductions in Europe, assess possible impacts if lynx are returned to Scotland, and recommend key actions to avoid or manage potential problems.
“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.
“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.”
When considering the impact on deer populations the report said that lynx could help achieve a more “natural balance of species” within the ecosystem, though noted that they are unlikely to replace culling by humans or the impact of weather.
They may also have a positive impact on species of conservation concern such as capercaillie, black grouse and wildcats by preying on “mesopredators”, particularly foxes.
The report acknowledged that there might be “some concern around the public safety aspect of having a large carnivore in the landscape.”
However, it noted that lynx are “secretive animals which are rarely encountered by humans in the wild in their current natural range” and said there are no recorded instances of healthy lynx attacking people.
The report stated that lynx pose no realistic threat to humans and said the predators “should not discourage anyone from letting their children play in the woods”.
It also noted that despite their elusive nature the presence of lynx could boost income from tourism.
Evidence from Europe suggests that merely the knowledge that a large carnivore exists in the landscape is enough to increase visitor numbers and significantly increase tourism income, according to the report.
Any reintroduction of lynx would need approval from the Scottish Government, which would follow ecological assessments and a full public consultation.
Stakeholder group member Andrew Bauer, who has experience of species reintroduction policy in Scotland, said: “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.”
Lynx to Scotland is a partnership between Trees for Life, Scotland: The Big Picture and the Lifescape Project.
