Why the illegal lynx release in the Highlands could never have succeeded

SCOTTISH wildlife experts have shed light on why the recent illegal potential reintroduction attempt of lynx in the Highlands was bound to fail.

This follows last week's incident when four lynx were illegally released in the Highlands and captured a few hours later.

Shortly after, it was reported that one of the lynx had died, while the others were in poor health.

This unexpected situation raised the question of whether these four lynx could have successfully repopulated Scotland.

Why couldn’t the four lynx survive in the wild?

EXPERTS argue that releasing animals into the wild without authorisation is not the solution, as careful consideration of the environment, habitat, and the animals' needs is essential for giving them the best chance of survival.

Steve Micklewright, chief executive of Trees for Life and part of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance thinks “somebody had abandoned them”.

Indeed, Micklewright was left speechless by the entire situation, as the animals were released into conditions where the temperature was dropping to minus 10 degrees, with deep snow.

“They weren't equipped to survive in the wild, they were just abandoned and from an animal welfare point of view, that's terrible,” he said.

While watching the videos of the capture of the first two lynx, it was clear that these animals, typically shy and elusive, displayed no fear of human presence or the light from torches.

They were observed approaching the light, a behaviour that is highly atypical for wild animals, as they would generally seek to avoid human contact.

“Everything that we know about lynx is you're actually incredibly lucky to see one,” said Bruce Wilson, head of policy and advocacy for the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

“The fact that they were obviously habituated to [human] behaviour and kind of seeking food and shelter and drawn to light is not natural behaviour.”

The four lynx illegally released could not have successfully repopulated Scotland, as they were ill-prepared for the harsh Scottish temperatures. Upon discovery, they were found to be starving, as they lacked the necessary skills to hunt for food or seek adequate shelter.

Micklewright highlighted the essential need to choose the right animal, the right place and the necessary protection measures, otherwise it “will not work”.

The four lynx were not adapted to the environment “If we get it right, lynx will be back to Scotland, and hopefully they'll be here forever,” he added.

“This sort of just dumping them out in the countryside for whatever reason … is not the answer to rewilding. It's not a species reintroduction.”

Is Scotland ready to welcome lynx?

REINTRODUCING lynx to Scotland could offer three key benefits according to Micklewright.

Firstly, it could boost tourism, as evidenced by data from mainland Europe. Lynx could also help control deer populations and as Micklewright points out, there is a "moral obligation" to reintroduce lynx to one of their native habitats.

A total of 400 lynx could be reintroduced in the Highlands alone.

Lynx were reintroduced in Switzerland, Germany and Slovenia in previous years.

The most challenging aspect of lynx reintroduction is social acceptance, as it involves changing public perception. Introducing a predator is a significant step, and gaining widespread acceptance will take time, explained Micklewright.

“People have to feel that if individuals started to suffer, like sheep farmers [to suffer losses] that we are equipped to deal with and we have to take the time to get that right,” said Micklewright.

Although Scotland may be ready to welcome a new native species, environmental organisations need to work on the social aspect of the reintroduction and people's concerns.

“If we take our time and we understand what people's concerns are, we stand a chance. I don't know how much of a chance, but we stand more of a chance than just ignoring people's concerns.

Wilson explained that ignoring the social side of the reintroduction “could lead to negative outcomes on the animal welfare front”.

“That's not the way to go, particularly in a small country such as ours, where the competing pressures for land use are only growing.

“Yes, the habitat conditions exist but, the social element needs to be addressed before any reintroduction of lynx."

What about sheep farmers' worries?

IN 2025, foxes and badgers are the two main mammal predators in Scotland.

Lynx disappeared from Scotland about 1300 years ago due to habitat loss, fragmentation of individuals, poaching and a lack of prey.

Reintroducing a predator in Scotland is a question that needs careful consideration, especially concerning the farming community that could worry about the safety of their animals.

Sheep on a Scottish hill Lynx, are secretive animals that “mostly stay in woodland and their preferred food is deer”, said Micklewright. “We have more deer than in Scotland, than in most other countries.”

In countries where lynx has been reintroduced, it has been shown that lynx occasionally take sheep.

“I think farmers' concerns about sheep are legitimate and reasonable. It is up to us as project [co-ordinators] to be able to figure out what can be done to support farmers if sheep are taken,” said Micklewright.

The lynx reintroduction can only proceed if “farmers have confidence that if there are problems, they will be dealt with,” he added.

Lynx cannot naturally spread to the UK due to its highland terrain. The decision to reintroduce lynx to Scotland lies not with the animals, but between human hands.

Micklewright added: “The long game is to achieve coexistence with nature.

“We are very used, in the UK and throughout Europe, to say we don't like this animal, so therefore we will get rid of it. That's been an approach that's happened for a very long time."

Wilson explained that the reintroduction of any species should be a decision made with the communities and not an illegal release such as the one of last week.

Could the four lynx have come from the black market?

WHEN the authorities traced the lynx, they were found 100 meters away from a pile of straw bedding made from dead chicks and porcupine quills, a non-native rodent from North America with sharp spines called quills. This suggests that the lynx may have been provided with food to help them survive.

“Where they were released, there were porcupine quills,” said Micklewright. He believed this discovery suggested the release was linked to someone with access to exotic animals.

“That points the finger of suspicion at the black market and someone with an animal they couldn’t cope with,” he added.