"We're not saying they won't take sheep – they absolutely will, Steve Micklewright, chief executive of Trees for Life, told two visitors. But their preferred prey is roe deer. My question is: can we get an animal like this back into the Scottish landscape and coexist with it, which we've forgotten how to do?"
"A six-year effort by the Lynx to Scotland coalition of charities does not aim to simply create a supportive majority – 61% of Scots are already in favour, according to a 2025 poll – but build acceptance among residents likely to remain opposed to lynx, including farmers, gamekeepers and deer stalkers."
A coalition of Scottish charities is working to reintroduce lynx to Scottish forests after the species was driven to extinction over 1,000 years ago. The initiative aims to build acceptance among local communities, particularly farmers, gamekeepers, and deer stalkers who have concerns about the predator's impact. While 61% of Scots already support lynx reintroduction, the charities are conducting extensive consultations through information sessions and one-to-one conversations to address livelihood complications. The charities acknowledge that lynx will prey on sheep but emphasize that roe deer are their preferred food source. The effort seeks to develop a strong application for a license to return the animals while fostering coexistence between humans and wildlife in the Scottish landscape.
#lynx-reintroduction #scottish-wildlife-conservation #community-consultation #predator-management #human-wildlife-coexistence
Read at www.theguardian.com
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