THE RETURN OF THE EURASIAN LYNX
Across mainland Europe, the Eurasian lynx is staging a comeback, benefiting from increasing public interest and reduced hunting pressure. Lynx continue to face localised threats from poaching, fragmented habitats and the isolation of some smaller populations. Overall though, the European population is growing and expanding its range, helped by an increasing number of successful reintroduction programmes.
Lynx once lived in Scotland, and scientific studies show that Scotland has enough habitat and wild prey to support a healthy population of lynx again. But isolated as we are from recovering mainland European populations, lynx won’t return here without a dedicated reintroduction.
THE LYNX TO SCOTLAND PARTNERSHIP
Many factors are considered as part of potential reintroduction projects in Scotland – driven by the requirements of the Scottish Code for Conservation Translocations – with the opinions of local people and communities particularly important. That’s why, since 2020, the Lynx to Scotland partnership has been working to assess whether and how Scotland’s missing cat could return to the Scottish landscape, through a carefully managed reintroduction.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
In 2026, the Lynx to Scotland partnership will carry out further consultation with stakeholders, to increase public understanding and collaborate on solutions to the potential challenges of coexistence.
PROJECT PARTNERS
