The Missing Lynx: Take 2

The Eurasian lynx has been extinct (along with all our other large predators) in the UK for around 500 years. A debate is occurring around reintroducing this animal into the relatively remote Cairngorms area of Scotland (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/20/wild-lynx-could-be-reintroduced-into-scottish-highlands). Reintroduction of the Lynx could certainly benefit the ecology of some forested locations (it would limit grazing on saplings, that are trying to establish themselves). There is, however, predictable resistance from sheep farmers. The farmers cite evidence from Norway. They reckon that 4000 (out of a total of 20,000) sheep fatalities in that country were linked to the reintroductions of predators (including the Lynx). Farmers suggest that recent declines in sheep deaths in Norway, are consequences of people keeping fewer sheep (this is a difficult relationship to prove). Lynx would be very unlikely to tackle full-grown sheep but they might take lambs (in addition to their normal prey, of rabbits). Sheep, however, tend not to operate in forested locations (and would be bad for ecology) and Lynx are unlikely to roam the hills. The reintroduction will only go ahead if it generates sufficient public support. This, unfortunately, seems unlikely at present.