A second bid has been made to introduce Lynx into a Northumberland forest two years after it was rejected by HM’s government.
The Lynx UK Trust had wanted to release Eurasian wildcats into Kielder Forest however the government rejected the plan two years ago saying it lacked “depth”.
The trust has now said it has addressed shortfalls in its bid which aims to save Kielder being “overrun” with deer.
The wild cat Lynxes became extinct in the United Kingdom in about AD700 because they were hunted for their fur at that period.
However according to the Lynx UK Trust, the animals would eat deer which were “decimating” forests and upsetting ecosystems.
The National Sheep Association (NSA) disputed this claim saying lynx would prey on “easy meals” such as sheep and red squirrels.
Dominic Woodfield, of ecological consultancy agency Bioscan UK, concluded that the lynx were unlikely to wander from their designated site because it was so large and had everything they needed, but if they did there was no “credible risk” to bird species.
The lynx trust said it has been consulting with local people more widely through information events in village halls, as well as meetings with local farmers and businesses prior to lockdown.
The original plan for five animals has also been scaled back to three, a male and two females, who would be tracked at all times in an area of 700 sq km.
Director of the Lynx UK Trust Dr Paul O’Donoghue said: “We want a licence to conduct a highly regulated trial.
“It is fully reversible – the lynx can be captured at any time although we do not think this will be necessary. There have been no reported attacks of lynx on humans anywhere in the world.
“I’m not saying that lynx are the silver bullet but they will certainly help restore ecosystems.
“Deer numbers are 50% higher than they should be and they are decimating and eating their way through our forests.”
He added that lynx were medium-sized cats, similar in size to a “skinny Labrador”, and in some parts of Europe they were called “ghost cats” because they were rarely seen.
Chief executive of the NSA, Phil Stocker said three lynx would not impact deer numbers he said: “We know, talking to other farmers, in Europe they can go rogue.
“They are opportunistic hunters eating sheep and nesting birds – an easy meal.
“Is it fair to consciously introduce an animal we know will tear apart livestock?
“Lynx are not part of the UK ecosystem. Also the plan is not ecologically sustainable, with only three the gene pool is compromised. There will be in-breeding.”
The lynx trust as part of its licence it would have to compensate farmers for a “handful of losses.”
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Editor-in-Chief | Carl D. Pearson has been involved in British politics and media from an early age, with the key knowledge of what it takes to run a news organisation for the 21st century. Mr Pearson, as Editor-in-chief, is responsible for supervising the daily tasks of publishing media and content to UNN’s website and various platforms.
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