Last Updated on: 21st November 2023, 11:59 pm
The Scottish Parliament is hosting a reception to discuss the potential for reintroducing Eurasian lynx to Scotland, which has been missing from the country for over 500 years. The event is organised by rewilding charities SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, Trees for Life and The Lifescape Project and is sponsored by Ariane Burgess MSP.
At the event, MSPs, senior advisors and rural groups will hear from lynx expert Dr David Hetherington. He will explain that lynx are shy and elusive woodland hunters, which pose no danger to people, and have successfully returned to countries such as Germany, France and Switzerland.
Peter Cairns, Executive Director of SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, said: “It’s good news that politicians and policy makers are now seriously discussing the return of lynx, which would have strong public support. Scotland is one of the poorest places on Earth for nature, and if we are serious about tackling the nature and climate emergencies, these conversations really matter.”
Research suggests the Highlands has sufficient habitat to support around 400 wild lynx. If reintroduced, the species could help reduce the impacts of deer browsing on woodland, boost biodiversity and restore natural processes, while also providing fresh economic opportunities for local communities.
Steve Micklewright, Chief Executive of Trees for Life, said: “Scotland could become the world’s first rewilding nation, but is still one of Europe’s only countries lacking large predators. The support or acceptance of the land management community for a well-considered, carefully managed lynx reintroduction would help deliver on commitments to restore 30% of nature by 2030.”
Adam Eagle, Chief Executive Officer of The Lifescape Project, added: “Scotland has suitable habitat for lynx to prosper here. The return of this magnificent creature is about choices, and our willingness to live alongside other species.”
The Lynx to Scotland project, who organised today’s reception, have been consulting farmers, gamekeepers, foresters, conservationists, landowners, tourism operators and rural communities in the Cairngorms National Park and Argyll. The research found sufficient appetite from a diverse range of rural stakeholders to examine whether potential barriers to lynx reintroduction can be overcome.
The Scottish Parliament also debated the potential for reintroducing lynx on the 20 April, with a parliamentary motion by the SNP’s Kenneth Gibson MSP receiving cross-party support.
Today’s reception is the latest step in the Lynx to Scotland project’s campaign to reintroduce the species, with more conversations taking place to explore the pros and cons of any future reintroduction.
Today, the Scottish Parliament will host a reception to discuss the potential for reintroducing Eurasian lynx to Scotland for the first time, with the event sponsored by Ariane Burgess MSP. The Lynx to Scotland project, which organised the event, has been consulting with a diverse range of rural stakeholders to examine whether potential barriers to lynx reintroduction can be overcome.
At the event, MSPs, senior advisors and rural groups will hear from lynx expert Dr David Hetherington. Peter Cairns, Executive Director of SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, said: “It’s good news that politicians and policy makers are now seriously discussing the return of lynx, which would have strong public support. Scotland is one of the poorest places on Earth for nature, and if we are serious about tackling the nature and climate emergencies, these conversations really matter.”
Research suggests the Highlands has sufficient habitat to support around 400 wild lynx. If reintroduced, the species could help reduce the impacts of deer browsing on woodland, boost biodiversity and restore natural processes, while also providing fresh economic opportunities for local communities.
Steve Micklewright, Chief Executive of Trees for Life, said: “Scotland could become the world’s first rewilding nation, but is still one of Europe’s only countries lacking large predators. The support or acceptance of the land management community for a well-considered, carefully managed lynx reintroduction would help deliver on commitments to restore 30% of nature by 2030.”
The potential for reintroducing lynx was also debated in the Scottish Parliament on 20 April, with a parliamentary motion by the SNP’s Kenneth Gibson MSP receiving cross-party support. The motion noted calls on the Scottish Government to rectify lynx extinction in Scotland by a managed reintroduction, following appropriate assessments.
Today’s reception is the latest step in the Lynx to Scotland project’s campaign to reintroduce the species, with more conversations taking place to explore the pros and cons of any future reintroduction.
