Reintroducing Lynx To Scotland

It is time to bring back eurasian lynx to Scotland. The absence of apex predators such as lynx and wolves in Scotland has had a terrible impact on our ecology and biodiversity. Species like these are a key part of the ecosystem and they belong in this country.

There is, in my opinion, no single good reason why we should not reintroduce the species back to Scotland. People who are against lynx reintroduction often cite reasons such as Scotland's human population, potential attacks on people by lynx, lack of suitable habitat, predation of sheep and predation of rare animals. I don't believe any of these reasons stand up to scrutiny or currently present a significant obstacle to reintroduction. In this video I will look at the common reasons given by people who believe lynx can't be brought back here. If you have any doubt in your mind about lynx reintroduction, I hope this video provides you with some light context of the reality of the situation.

Below are the resources I used to help make the video. All stock footage was obtained either freely online or obtained under license.

The Lynx & Us is the main resource I used to help create this video. It is a wonderfully informative book with incredible photographs of the lynx in its natural habitat. I would highly recommend the book to anyone who wishes to learn more about lynx ecology.

ecology
scotland
scottish highlands
rewilding
nature
biodiversity
climate crisis
wildlife
ecosystem
environment
Scotland
permaculture
woodland
forests
rainforest
peatlands
Caledonian pinewood
Bears
Wolves
Lynx
Elk
Beaver
Ecological
Restoration
Conservation

[JakobFischer]

We have lynxs in Germany for some years now. The areas where they live are much smaller than Scotland and meeting one is a very rare event. Normally we only have some pictures from cameras in the forests. I have not heard that people have ever met some or even had some problems with them.

[shannonalaminski]

Cousin story: I knew there were Bobcats in the forest I spend time in near my place. Hadn't seen one. I took my wife for a walk in the forest one day. She's scared of stuff. You hear the rapid hammering of small feet in the leaves behind you, you turn and see a rabbit running like he's running for his life. And behind him is a Bobcat running through the trees hot on his tail. We just watched them tear through until we lost them in the trees. They ran right by us. It was magical. It was awesome. And it all happened so fast she never got a chance to be scared. She loved seeing something that so few ever get to see. And before she was one of those people who could have listed off those excuses and more probably why we don't need Bobcats or their cousins lynx.

[JoesWebPresence]

Managing a population of 300 to 500 lynx in Scotland would be straightforward and hugely beneficial, IF the farmers affected were adequately compensated. Give them fair rates for the livestock they lose, and make the first incident like winning a prize for them! Offer them livestock guardian dogs and trail cameras. Tag the offender and track their behaviour. Get the farmers involved! The real opposition will be from shooting estates. Never mind the obvious conflict over deer, they'll take pheasant and grouse, which are essentially farmed as a mono-cultures on an industrial scale here. There needs to be a real plan for Scotland's natural heritage, with a joined up approach to achieving clearly defined goals like forest regeneration and soil erosion mitigation. Beavers and lynx could be at the core of these efforts but it will all be meaningless and for nothing unless the gamekeepers are forced to stop killing everything that might look at a grouse or pheasant on the barren, fire scarred, soil eroded wastelands they claim to manage, and the foresters are forced to stop planting vast mono-cultures of cica spruce, Corsican pine and othernon native, low value trees for wood pulp. That means opposing billionaire corporate interests and landed establishment aristocrats. If we change the working practices of commercial forestry and shooting estates, then we change Scotland's environment; or we are just tinkering at the edges and nothing will really have changed.

[EuanStewart-swhx]

Scotland needs these predators to be brought back. Red deer are taking away habitats from species only found in the Caledonian forest which barely exists anymore we need the return of lynxes and maybe wolves

[Swifty.lover.]

Excellent idea. Hardest problem is to change people’s thinking. Only by proving facts will more punters be on your side.👍

[stonemarten]

If we can increase the area of Caledonian Pine Forest in the Highlands, the Cairngorms for example, then release the Lynx in say 5 to 10 years time. Yes, there would need to be protection measures introduced for sheep and a compensation scheme for any predated livestock. I went looking for Lynx in the Harz Mountains of Germany, but of course never saw one, as they are incredibly elusive creatures. Really hope to see the return of these beautiful, once native, wild cats.

[Greentrees]

As a Canadian I generally find the fears of these animals bizarre - we have wolves and coyotes and lynx and (technically) cougars where I live, and none of those predators are dangerous to humans. The actually scary animals are Moose (car accidents with Moose are fatal and their eyes don't glow in the dark), and black and brown bears. The bears especially actually hunt humans in VERY rare circumstances, and ofc are able to easily kill humans without defences. But there are ways to live with them - obviously keep garbage carefully managed, bring bearspray when in their habitats especially in the fall, and go out in groups. In a park near where I live there are actually dogs which are specially trained to travel with hikers and defend them from bears (note: most dogs increase risk of bear conflict). Though I admit that is scary in a different way because they are curious about cars and run freely across the roads and I am PETRIFIED I will hit one while I am driving. Anyway, that is a long way of saying people should not be scared of lynx or small predators - they fear humans and are not at all dangerous. Humanity is an ingenious species that can easily figure out how to coexist with even animals which actually are dangerous.

[thomasross]

I was unable to get the sound up to an audible level. This stands in contrast to your other two videos which I heard just fine. I'm going to be your 608th sub on the strength of your forgotten forests: what are we missing video alone, but I'm going to need more if I'm going to stick with you.

[jackstone]

Great interesting video. We need more please!

[rauriskid]

Thanks for your video. I’m fascinated by the idea of rewilding Scotland. I like to think I’m open to both sides of the debate but really don’t know much about it. What you say seems to make sense.
I understand that beaver have already been introduced and think that’s great. My feeling is that bringing back the wolf might be a step too far.
What do you think?

[RussTillling]

Great production thank you. Needless to save I love lynx and would love to know they are back in the UK! (From Dorset)

[teletabislabai]

Do you have a patreon i would gladly support your work

[qaswedfr]

I think the main reason there is no lynx in Scotland is that unlike the other countries you mentioned Scotland is isolated. In other countries lynx just wanders and stumbles into an area.

[pr]

Problemless shy predator in Scandinavia when you do not practise forest grazing of sheep (Norway).😌👍

[andrewglover]

Increase the volume! Its kinda quiet...

[eartheclipse]

100% agree - they are all nuances, probably the ones who'll need the most education are those that wild camp in woodland, with dogs in particular, more because if the dog gives chase the Lynx will likely fight back (depends on the demeanour of both). I'm thinking of myself here because my dog would pick up a scent trail and likely chase so he's tethered to a tree or post, even at night when he's in the tent. - he's a wanderer, although a noisy dog chases everything away so I doubt they'd approach, it would be him following them.
He won't be doing much camping now due to Lyme disease - another reason to lower deer numbers as it's rising. I intended for him to be a scent dog for conservation as I'm studying environmental science :(
However, even at that, it would be a chance since I've never heard a single tale from any of my Canadian relatives (or elsewhere) of lynx attacking people, other predators, yes, but not Lynx.

[Bob_Adkins]

Cities are the best friend of scarce animals. In the USA, once-scarce animals such as bobcat puma, fox, bear, deer, beaver, elk, moose, bison, dove, turkey, falcons, etc etc are thriving and will never again be critically endangered.

[warrenhurley]

The only qualm I have with this idea is that the Scottish wildcat is on the brink of extinction and if lynx kills even one or two of them, that could be the final death knell. However, I'm not a biologist so I really don't know if this is a possibility.

[lesreid]

According to your map, my home is good lynx habitat. Do I want lynx? NO!! Because I would be concerned for my animals, especially my small pet dogs who walk in the woods and my hens who forage in the woods. Is my lifestyle choices and that of other country dwellers and land owners a good enough reason not to re-introduce lynx? Probably not! Like everything, knowledge and critical thinking is important. Thank you for including links to both research papers and Roy Dennis book. This is something I would like to be more informed about.

[howardlee]

Correct me if I am wrong, but it looks like lynxs got into extinctions around 1300 years ago? If yes, humans might not be the cause of its extinctions. So, I have to wonder if reintroduction can be applied in this case.