Personally, I like the idea of reintroducing the lynx into Scotland (I would 😎😻). The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) was part of Scotland’s wildlife until it was driven to extinction around 1,000 to 1,500 years ago. The main causes of its disappearance were deforestation, which reduced its forested habitat, and overhunting, both of the lynx itself and its primary prey, such as roe deer.
Archaeological evidence, including lynx bones found in caves and ancient settlements, suggests that the species was present in Britain at least until the early Medieval period. The most recent confirmed lynx remains in Scotland date to approximately the 5th or 6th century AD, though some estimates suggest they may have survived slightly longer.
It would be turning the clocks back and there is plenty of space in Scotland. But this labour government minister is clearly not enamoured with conservation and he has probably been heavily lobbied by the farming community in Scotland.
Ultimately business has always and always will trump wildlife conservation which is why sadly there will be a continuing slide downwards of wildlife conservation anywhere you wish to select in the world at large. Economic growth is the priority and very much so in the UK as the country has run out of money to pay the welfare bill.
Scotland is effectively broke but this is hardly ever mentioned as Parliament has to be sensitive to the failures of Scotland’s ‘progressive’ politics which translates to spending more money than you have. 😢😱 Scotland is subsidized with the ‘Barnett Formula’. It is still broke.
In recent years, Scotland has received significant funding under the Barnett Formula, with approximately £9.6 billion in 2023-24, though this figure fluctuates with each UK Budget. This is derived from a system where changes in English spending (per capita) affect how much Scotland receives. However, this funding does not always align with specific local needs, leading to ongoing debates about whether the formula adequately addresses regional disparities in funding across the UK
The lynx is a medium-sized wild cat. You will occasionally see tame individuals as ‘pets’ of sorts in the US. They can be a pretty unaggressive wild cat. Personally, I believe the farmers cry foul too often. Livestock can be protected and compensation schemes devised as is the case in Nepal when the snow leopard kills livestock. It is important for local farmers to be engaged in conservation and clearly, they are disengaged when it comes to lynx rewilding.
The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is the largest wildcat in Europe and Asia, known for its distinctive tufted ears, short tail, and spotted fur. It primarily inhabits forests and mountainous regions, where it preys on deer, hares, and smaller mammals. Lynx are solitary, nocturnal animals, known for their stealth and agility in hunting.
Historically, the Eurasian lynx was widespread across Europe, but its populations began to decline due to habitat loss, hunting, and overhunting of prey. By the early 20th century, the species was driven to extinction in much of Western Europe, including Scotland, though it still existed in some parts of Eastern Europe, Russia, and Scandinavia.
In recent decades, there have been efforts to reintroduce lynx to areas where they were previously extirpated. Successful reintroduction programs have taken place in countries like Switzerland, Germany, and Poland, where lynx populations have stabilized and even expanded.
The Eurasian lynx plays a crucial role in ecosystems as an apex predator, helping control herbivore populations, particularly deer, which in turn affects plant biodiversity. These reintroduction efforts aim to restore ecological balance and promote biodiversity conservation across Europe.
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The European lynx is often referred to as the Eurasian lynx. The species is scientifically known as Lynx lynx, and its range spans much of Europe and parts of Asia, from the Balkans and Eastern Europe to Siberia. The term “Eurasian lynx” emphasizes its broad geographic distribution across both Europe and Asia.
While “European lynx” specifically refers to the subspecies or populations found within Europe, the term “Eurasian lynx” is more inclusive, covering its entire range. Therefore, both names are used interchangeably, although “Eurasian lynx” is the more commonly used term in broader contexts.
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