Lynx could thrive in Northumberland with most in area supporting return, study finds

Experts say the return of the lynx would bring many advantages, including hunting overly large populations of deer. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA

Releasing just 20 lynx in Northumberland would be enough to create a healthy wild population, research has found, and most people in the area would support the practice.

Northumberland Wildlife Trust has been working to see if the wild cats, which became extinct in Britain about 1,300 years ago as a result of hunting and habitat loss, could be returned to the area.