IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Hetherington, D.A. | |
| The Feasibility of Reintroducing the Eurasian Lynx (_Lynx lynx_) to Scotland | |
| 2005 Full Book | |
Reintroductions have become an important wildlife management tool in many parts of the world in recent decades. However, the UK has not yet reintroduced any nationally extinct mammal species. One of these missing species, the Eurasian lynx, has recently been reintroduced to several European countries. This study investigates the feasibility of reintroducing the Eurasian lynx to Scotland by examining the history of the species in Britain, and by determining if there is sufficient habitat and prey for a viable population. Skeletal remains of lynx have been recovered from cave sites across Scotland, England and Wales. Recently acquired radiocarbon dates, as well as etymological, linguistic and cultural evidence, show that lynx continued to inhabit areas of northern Britain until at least the early mediaeval period. This contradicts theories that lynx died out in Britain because of climatic processes. Anthropogenic factors, such as severe deforestation, declining populations of deer, and persecution driven by protection of livestock, are instead likely to have brought about the species' extirpation in Britain. As lynx did not become extinct in Britain due to natural processes, they qualify ethically as a candidate for reintroduction. Modern Scotland witnessed large-scale reafforestation during the 20th century, and many regions are now relatively well wooded. Deer populations have also grown considerably and deer now inhabit all parts of the Scottish mainland. Most sheep are no longer grazed in woodland, thus considerably reducing scope for lynx depredation on livestock. Furthermore, human attitudes towards the environment, wildlife and predators, are generally much more positive now than in previous centuries. The reversal of extinction processes suggests that conditions for lynx in Scotland could be suitable once more. A rule-based GIS analysis identified two large networks of habitat patches: one in the Highlands, and one in the Southern Uplands. Currently, the level of connectivity between the two networks is weak. By examining the relationship between lynx and wild ungulate densities in parts of Europe, it was predicted from the average deer biomass in the two networks, that the Highlands habitat network could support around 400 lynx, and the Southern Uplands, around 50 lynx. A Population Viability Analysis using the Leslie matrix-based software package RAMAS/age suggested that a lynx population living at a carrying capacity of 400 would be viable in the long term. However, a lynx population at a carrying capacity of 50 would be too small to be viable in isolation. Movement corridors between the Highlands and the Southern Uplands, which run through benign habitats and avoid significant barriers, are therefore essential for the long-term viability of a Southern Uplands lynx population. In order to have a high probability of surviving for 10 years after release, the minimum size of a founder population composed of 1 to 3-year old lynx should be 12 to 32 individuals, with an equal sex ratio. The most suitable lynx for a Scottish reintroduction would come from the wild of Latvia, Estonia and SW Finland. Despite their long absence, the reintroduction of lynx to Scotland is biologically feasible. |
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