BEAVERS ARE BACK


Te Missing Lynx Project was formed to explore this question. It’s led by Te Lifescape Project supported closely by Northumberland Wildlife Trust and Te Wildlife Trusts. Te project is exploring the ecological, practical and social feasibility of reintroducing lynx. Tis is basically asking three key questions. Is there an area in Britain where lynx could live? How would bringing lynx back work (e.g. where would they come from)? And would local people accept lynx back in the landscape?


Could lynx live in Britain ? Te first step was to examine whether there was anywhere with the right habitat for lynx. To test this, the Lifescape Project followed a similar approach to that used in Germany, where lynx have been successfully reintroduced. Tis meant using advanced computer modelling techniques, drawing on the most recent and detailed data on lynx ecology and Britain’s landscapes. Essentially, a virtual Britain was created in which simulated lynx could live. Knowledge from over 50 years of monitoring European lynx populations helped make the lynx behaviour as realistic as possible. Lynx reintroductions in different areas were tested using the model, under lots of different scenarios, and the outcomes studied. Tis research found that if lynx were to be


released in Northumberland, they could grow into a healthy population covering north-west Northumberland, the edge of Cumbria and the bordering areas of southern Scotland. Tis is currently the only area in England and Wales with the extensive forest habitats that lynx need.


How could we bring lynx back? Any species reintroduction is a complicated process. Tere are lots of practical elements to consider. Tese include finding the right place to get the lynx from, managing the translocation and release, and monitoring lynx aſter they are released. Te Missing Lynx Project is working closely with experts from across Europe to explore these elements. Tere are decades of experience to help guide the process.


How do people feel about lynx? To recap, the Missing Lynx Project’s research has shown that there’s an area of northern England and southern Scotland that could support a healthy population of lynx. We also have lots of expertise from across Europe on how to manage the practicalities of a successful lynx reintroduction. But – crucially – a reintroduction could only take place if local people are accepting of the animal back in the landscape. For more than a year, the project has been sharing


its findings with people in the area identified by the modelling; opening discussions about lynx and providing a variety of opportunities for everyone to share their views. As part of this, a travelling Missing Lynx exhibition toured the area to bring the lynx to life. We welcomed almost 10,000 visitors across 15 venues, from village halls to agricultural colleges and at iconic local landmarks. Te project has held meetings, hosted community workshops and conducted one-to-one interviews. We also held focus groups for people with shared interests in the area – there are groups for farming, forestry and business, as well as a Lynx Community Group with 117 members. In addition to all of the face-to-face conversations,


the project provided a questionnaire for people to record their views on lynx. We had responses from just over 1,000 people who live in the project region, with 72% of them supporting a lynx reintroduction there. Te overall atitudes towards lynx were positive, but it’s important to listen to the voices of those with concerns. Much can be learnt from how people live alongside lynx in Europe and the project’s next step will be to keep working with local communities, exploring how a reintroduction project could be managed to maximise benefits and reduce risks. Together, with the acceptance of the local community, we can bring back our missing lynx.


What are your views on lynx reintroduction? Let us know at missinglynxproject.org. uk/share-your-views


LYNX LICKING PAW © MARK HAMBLIN//SCOTLAND: THE BIG PICTURE. LYNX IN THE WOODS © BERNDT FISCHER


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