Lynx reintroduction reservations.

[dickyboy]

I am excited by the recent ongoing disscussions in the media regarding lynx reintroduction to the UK. There seems to be many positives to such a scheme (control of deer numbers in Scotland, tourism benefits). Surely there are some drawbacks aswell?

[Ukwildlifeo]

Farmers demanding compenstion for every sheep killed. Just look at the reaction to re introducing white tailed sea eagles to East anglia. Though I read somewhere that in europe in areas with good deer populations the lynx prefer the deer and tend to leave the sheep alone. Can't see some gamekeepers being to happy either.

Also scaremongers claiming they will be a deadly danger to humans.

[aeshna5]

I think the main problem deer species in Scotland is the Red Deer. An adult Red Deer is probably too big for a Lynx to take on. Roe Deer would be their more natural prey as well as smaller animals.

Much as I'd love to see this former native back there could be problems. If they are returned to areas with Capercaillie, maybe they could impact on the low populations of this species.

As mentioned above farmers + gamekeepers may not be too keen. We just have to look at the appalling illegal persecution of raptors to see a likely consequence.

On the plus side there may be a boost to local tourism to see these beautiful animals, though actually seeing them will be a hell of a challenge!

[Wild-Woman]

Lovely thought but I don't see that the poor things would be safe. I suspect that they would get blamed for all sorts of livestock deaths and attacks on humans etc. I don't think we physically have enough wild-space left in this country to accomodate these beautiful creatures.
Personally, I would like to see more put into the species we have left and especially those on the brink of extinction. Proper protection of habitats, recreation of those that have been damaged by us and linkage or corridors that would allow nature to re establish itself, by itself.
I understand that many re-introductions have been successful but when it's a top predator, it is so much more difficult and set with problems and objections.
Yes I would love to see the lynx back but I just can't see how.

[Littlesparrow]

When were Lynx last living naturally in this country? it must have been a long time ago.

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Lovely thought but I don't see that the poor things would be safe. I suspect that they would get blamed for all sorts of livestock deaths and attacks on humans etc. I don't think we physically have enough wild-space left in this country to accomodate these beautiful creatures.
Personally, I would like to see more put into the species we have left and especially those on the brink of extinction. Proper protection of habitats, recreation of those that have been damaged by us and linkage or corridors that would allow nature to re establish itself, by itself.
I understand that many re-introductions have been successful but when it's a top predator, it is so much more difficult and set with problems and objections.
Yes I would love to see the lynx back but I just can't see how.

Couldn't agree more

[Littlesparrow]

I googled my own question and found that lynx haven't lived here for 1000 years. Personally i think it would be better to look at species that have only recently been lost from the U.K.and why they have been lost.
My first thought when I read this thread was, I bet the sheep farmers wouldn't be pleased, same as if wolves were reintroduced.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Littlesparrow

I googled my own question and found that lynx haven't lived here for 1000 years. Personally i think it would be better to look at species that have only recently been lost from the U.K.and why they have been lost.
My first thought when I read this thread was, I bet the sheep farmers wouldn't be pleased, same as if wolves were reintroduced.

I think of the various larger carnivores we have lost in recent centuries, Lynx would be the most likely to get a re-introduction. Whether it happens we'll have to see!

[Adam Cheeseman]

Much better to conserve the wildlife we have left, through habitat management, than keep trying to introduce larger mamamalian and avian species we wiped out in the first place. Too much of their habitat has been lost and the human population is far larger.

[Gill Catton]

Actually I don't wish for a reintroduction. I wish to the bottom of my heart that it hadn't been lost in the first place....