Across mainland Europe, the Eurasian lynx is staging a comeback. Freed from the pressures of unsustainable hunting and benefiting from a softening of public attitudes, this enigmatic cat has been successfully reintroduced into several countries and is now expanding its range.
Scotland is currently just one of a handful of European countries with no apex predators. The Lynx to Scotland partnership believes that lynx could thrive in Scotland, would benefit Scotland and should be returned to Scotland.
Here’s why.
The public want lynx!
A series of polls over recent years has demonstrated widespread support for the return of lynx*, signalling growing societal concern for the degraded state of Scotland’s nature.
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Righting a wrong
Scotland is one of the most nature-impoverished countries on Earth and is one of only a handful of European countries still lacking any large predators. Human activity (hunting and deforestation) caused the extinction of lynx, and we therefore have a responsibility to return this missing species to its rightful place.
Revitalising natural processes
Lynx are apex predators and specialists in hunting woodland deer. Their influence helps maintain the health of forest ecosystems, and their return would restore natural processes, helping to recycle nutrients and boost biodiversity.
Tackling the climate emergency
Scotland has less native woodland than almost any other European country. By reducing the abundance of deer – or just changing their behaviour – lynx could help Scotland’s forests to expand and lock up more carbon.
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Meeting international commitments
The Scottish Government has committed to halting biodiversity loss by 2030 and reversing it by 2045, acknowledging in the Edinburgh Declaration the need for transformative action. It is difficult to envision how these ambitions can be realised without reintroducing lynx. In addition, doing so would be a signal to the world that Scotland is serious about nature recovery.
Setting an example
Other countries – many with higher population densities than our own – coexist with animals that are much more challenging than lynx. By refusing to countenance the return of an animal that is relatively easy to live with, we appear intolerant and hypocritical. Instead, we could lead by example, reintroducing lynx and showing the world what is possible.
A boon to local tourism
Lynx would attract visitors, with people drawn to the chance to experience a landscape shared with this charismatic animal, to walk in its footsteps or simply feel its hidden stare from the depths of the forest.
A wider economic boost
Possibilities exist for developing a diverse range of ‘lynx-friendly’ products, from food and drink to wood and wool. The wider influence of lynx could reduce other costs linked to deer, such as tree damage, fencing and car accidents.
Inspiring hope
Wellbeing is increasingly understood to be linked to a healthy natural environment, with many young people anxious about the lack of action to tackle the climate and biodiversity crises. The return of lynx would encourage hopes for a fairer, greener future.
Rewilding ourselves
Lynx evoke an intangible sense of awe and wonder that we only experience in the presence of wildness. The return of these animals promises to help reconnect our frayed relationship with nature and restore a sense of pride in Scotland’s natural heritage.
Lynx to Scotland is a partnership of organisations that believes Eurasian lynx could thrive in Scotland, would benefit Scotland and should be returned to Scotland.
www.scotlandbigpicture.com/lynx-to-scotland
*Most recent poll carried out by Survation