'The last thing the Highlands needs is the Lynx effect'
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Highlands and Islands MSP Edward Mountain has condemned rewilding charities for their ongoing campaign to reintroduce the Eurasian Lynx to the region.
The Scottish Conservative has claimed that any return could undermine efforts to save threatened species including capercaillie and provide unhelpful competition to conservation efforts to save the Wildcat.
Mr Mountain commented: “The last thing the Highlands needs is the Lynx effect. I see very little appetite for the reintroduction of this species from those who actually manage our countryside.
“This agenda is being pushed by rewilding organisations which are fixated on single species and the reforestation of the Highlands.
“We shouldn’t forget that previous attempts to reintroduce species have not come without their problems, such as the uncontrolled introduction of beavers on the Tay which have caused many flooding problems and damage along the river.
“Instead of reintroducing the lynx we need to prioritise conservation efforts for the species that we are in danger of losing such as the wildcat, capercaillie and other ground nesting birds.
"Adding another predator into the mix is unlikely to help these threatened species.”
The Highlands could support around 400 wild lynx if the species were to be re-introduced to Scotland, it has been claimed.
Related article:
Hundreds of lynx could roam in the Highlands
Rewilding charities have said there is growing public support to see the big cat return to the country more than 500 years after it became extinct here.
MSPs, senior advisors and rural groups will attend a Lynx to Scotland parliamentary event, hosted by project partners Scotland: The Big Picture, Trees for Life and The Lifescape Project, later today.
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