The push to reintroduce lynx into the wild continues – despite John Swinney previously ruling it out – with conservationists set to consult locals on releasing them back into the Highlands.
The wild cat, which became extinct in Scotland more than 1,000 years ago, could one day become a feature in the north if conservationists get their way.
A coalition of three charities is now set to hold dozens of events in Highland and Moray to find out what locals think of their reintroduction.
The charities – SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, Trees for Life, and The Lifescape Project – said the region had enough woodland and wild prey to support up to 250 of the felines.
But any reintroduction would begin with a small number of the Labrador-sized animals, they said, with up to 20 in total being released gradually over several years.
Solitary and elusive, they typically hunt at night and tend to avoid humans.
The large predatory cats will normally feed on deer, mountain hares and other small mammals.
But farmers and crofters have long been concerned that their reintroduction could see livestock targeted.
The wild cats could be re-introduced in the Highlands
Highland Wildlife Park near Aviemore had rare wildcat kittens born in 2019
Such is the concern the First Minister last year ruled out the reintroduction of lynx into the wild, and told the NFU Scotland conference: ‘My government will not be reintroducing lynx, or indeed any other large carnivorous species in Scotland.’
However, Steve Micklewright, chief executive of Trees for Life, insisted the move had public backing and that political opinions change.
He said: ‘An official lynx reintroduction to Scotland would a long-term process, which could take many years to achieve, and political opinions and priorities can and will change as the idea of lynx returning to Scotland becomes more widely accepted and broadly supported.
‘Polling already shows 61 per cent of Scots support lynx reintroduction – an increase of nine points over four years.
‘What’s key is that a lynx reintroduction must be properly managed with habitat assessments, thorough public engagement, and a licence from NatureScot.
‘Northern Scotland can support a thriving population of lynx, but social acceptance is just as important. So, we are currently exploring in detail how people in Highland and Moray feel about bringing back this important missing native species.’
Lynx are the third largest predator in Europe after the brown bear and the wolf.
Adam Eagle, chief executive of The Lifescape Project, said: ‘We are keen to hear from the people living and working in the regions where lynx could one day be reintroduced.
‘Their views will help shape how a reintroduction might be managed, if it were to go ahead.’
Duncan Macalister, NFU Scotland Vice-President, said: ‘NFU Scotland fully supports the Scottish Government’s position that there should be no reintroduction of lynx or other large carnivores.
‘Such proposals are wholly unacceptable to farmers and crofters and pose serious risks to livestock welfare, business viability and rural communities, with unanswered questions about possible unintended wider consequences and who would ultimately bear the cost of any damage.
‘While we acknowledge the importance of public engagement, our members remain deeply concerned about the practical implications of bringing back a predator long absent from Scotland’s landscapes.
‘The focus must remain on supporting those already working hard to deliver high-quality food, enhance biodiversity and sustain fragile rural economies rather than introducing new threats to that balance.’
Any reintroduction would need a licence from NatureScot, something the body said it had not yet received.
Its spokesman added: ‘Reintroduction projects are often complex and need careful consideration and planning to ensure national and international best practice guidelines are met.
‘Any proposed reintroduction requires a significant amount of consultation, as well as evidence to assess the risks and benefits associated.
‘Ensuring that the views of those who would be most affected by any species reintroduction are fully taken into account is a priority for NatureScot and the Scottish Government.’
