Lynx are notorious for avoiding people, to the point that even nature documentaries have a hard time spotting them. So I really don’t know why people panic that much – that lynx is going to see them coming a mile away and hide.
This is an interesting one for sure. I’m a big advocate of rewildling, and although I recognise the practical need to do so in a planned manner and with considerations of how local stakeholders feel, I understand why the prospect of just releasing the animals and skipping the years of bureaucracy and politics is appealing. I think back to how activists reintroduced beavers in Devon on River Otter, and how the government eventually said that they could ‘stay’ after concluding that there was no determination impact on the environment, quite the opposite actually.
With that precedent set, you can see why activists would be emboldened to initiate similar activity across Britain, if they feel they could get away with it (assuming that’s what’s happened here, rather than say someone has released these animals after trying to illegally keep them as pets).
That it’s being reported that the lynx may still end up back at the Highland Wildlife Park might suggest that the gambit has worked.
But ultimately, I do see how such efforts can be determintal to the larger movement, as reported:
>Peter Cairns, executive director of Scotland: The Big Picture, one of the charities involved, said: “The Lynx to Scotland Project knows nothing of the origin of these two lynx, their history, health status, or who may have released them.
>”We understand the frustration of all those who wish to see lynx restored to the Scottish landscape, but an illegal release is not the way to achieve that aim.”
>Mr Cairns said the project had never supported or condoned illegal releases.
>He added: “This is unwelcome and grossly irresponsible, but comes at the worst possible time, when stakeholders are engaging in good faith with productive discussions about the possibility of a responsibly managed and fully resourced legal reintroduction.”
Not condoning this illegal and irresponsible action though it’s also easy to sympathise with the frustration people have at the slow pace of restoring our ecosystem. If you’re interested in rewilding efforts you are warmly invited to r/rewildingUK
I think Wildlife with Cookie eluded to this happening or happened a couple months ago?!
But he couldn’t say more for now….
I’m glad one of them has been captured.
How would rewilding with Lynx impact the recent attempts with wild cats in the area? That’s only just attempted last year. One step at a time I suppose!
So someone got bored of waiting 50 years for the reintroduction that was due to happen in the next 10 years perpetually.
Can’t wait to get the Lynx Highlands gift set from my granny next Christmas.
I’m all for rewinding but not sure this is the best way.
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Booooo, ‘mon the lynx!
[deleted]
Lynx are notorious for avoiding people, to the point that even nature documentaries have a hard time spotting them. So I really don’t know why people panic that much – that lynx is going to see them coming a mile away and hide.
This is an interesting one for sure. I’m a big advocate of rewildling, and although I recognise the practical need to do so in a planned manner and with considerations of how local stakeholders feel, I understand why the prospect of just releasing the animals and skipping the years of bureaucracy and politics is appealing. I think back to how activists reintroduced beavers in Devon on River Otter, and how the government eventually said that they could ‘stay’ after concluding that there was no determination impact on the environment, quite the opposite actually.
With that precedent set, you can see why activists would be emboldened to initiate similar activity across Britain, if they feel they could get away with it (assuming that’s what’s happened here, rather than say someone has released these animals after trying to illegally keep them as pets).
That it’s being reported that the lynx may still end up back at the Highland Wildlife Park might suggest that the gambit has worked.
But ultimately, I do see how such efforts can be determintal to the larger movement, as reported:
>Peter Cairns, executive director of Scotland: The Big Picture, one of the charities involved, said: “The Lynx to Scotland Project knows nothing of the origin of these two lynx, their history, health status, or who may have released them.
>”We understand the frustration of all those who wish to see lynx restored to the Scottish landscape, but an illegal release is not the way to achieve that aim.”
>Mr Cairns said the project had never supported or condoned illegal releases.
>He added: “This is unwelcome and grossly irresponsible, but comes at the worst possible time, when stakeholders are engaging in good faith with productive discussions about the possibility of a responsibly managed and fully resourced legal reintroduction.”
Not condoning this illegal and irresponsible action though it’s also easy to sympathise with the frustration people have at the slow pace of restoring our ecosystem. If you’re interested in rewilding efforts you are warmly invited to r/rewildingUK
I think Wildlife with Cookie eluded to this happening or happened a couple months ago?!
But he couldn’t say more for now….
I’m glad one of them has been captured.
How would rewilding with Lynx impact the recent attempts with wild cats in the area? That’s only just attempted last year. One step at a time I suppose!
So someone got bored of waiting 50 years for the reintroduction that was due to happen in the next 10 years perpetually.
Can’t wait to get the Lynx Highlands gift set from my granny next Christmas.
I’m all for rewinding but not sure this is the best way.
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