Wildlife in Moray:- Should Lynx be reintroduced to the Cairngorms?

The question of whether Lynx should be brought back to the Cairngorms and other remote areas of Scotland needs further investigation.

That's the conclusion of a year-long study regarding the solitary woodland hunters.

The creatures are believed to have become extinct in Scotland around 1300 years ago.

But research suggests there's enough habitat and roe deer – the animal’s preferred prey – to support a population of around 400 in the wild.

The charities behind the new study, which include the Findhorn-based Trees for Life, say a successful reintroduction is more dependent on people’s attitudes than the ecological science.

"When it comes to the return of the lynx, we’re in the realm of not yet – but not never," said Peter Cairns from the rewilding charity Scotland: The Big Picture.

He added: "This new research shows there is sufficient appetite amongst different stakeholders to develop a more comprehensive understanding of this little-known species and the potential for its return to Scotland."

Since the 1970s, the Eurasian lynx has been reintroduced to Switzerland, Slovenia, Croatia, France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Germany and Austria.

The study conducted more than a hundred interviews with farmers, gamekeepers, foresters, conservationists, landowners, tourism operators and rural communities across Argyll and the Cairngorms.

Views were assessed about the suitability and quality of Scotland’s woodlands, as well as the implications for sheep and other species such as capercaillie and wildcats.

Also examined was the potential for cost-effectively reducing the grazing impact of woodland deer.

The study has now recommended setting up a Lynx Action Group to address areas of disagreement over both the science and local knowledge.

Steve Micklewright, the chief executive of Trees for Life, said: "In weighing up the hows and whys of a trial lynx reintroduction, it’s important to consider different stakeholder interests and legitimate concerns.

"Properly assessing and listening to all views is key for the proposed return of an animal that has been absent from Scotland for a long time."

Separate research carried out for the Scottish Rewilding Alliance in 2020 found that 52% of people in Scotland support lynx reintroduction, with 19% opposed.

View the latest study HERE