AN exhibition on reintroducing lynx to the UK is set to tour southern Scotland in a bid to drum up support for the project.
The Missing Lynx exhibition uses interactive displays to bring the story of the lynx to life.
Created by Limbic Cinema, the team behind the successful Spectra Festival of Light in Aberdeen, it allows visitors to immerse themselves into the history of the lynx in Britain.
Lynx are thought to have gone extinct in Scotland around 1300 years ago, largely due to habitat loss and hunting.
However, the exhibition tells of how the felines once thrived in the woodland habitat of medieval Britain and made their way into books, poetry and art of the period.
It also charts the comeback of the species across Europe and details how the restoration of wildlife can help the natural world recover from the man-made stresses of climate change and habitat destruction.
The exhibition is run by The Missing Lynx Project, a partnership between Northumberland Wildlife Trust, The Lifescape Project, and the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts.
The exhibition’s first Scottish date will take place in Newscastleton on June 12 – 15 before travelling to Bonchester Bridge and Moffat Town Hall later in the summer.
Research by the partners has shown the feasibility of reintroducing lynx to Northumberland, where it is thought they could grow into a healthy population spreading into southern parts of Scotland.
It’s hoped the exhibition will give locals the opportunity to learn more about lynx and share their views about a potential reintroduction project.
"Lynx used to live here – they became extinct because we cut down most of our forests – but in the last 100 years our woods have expanded and so we could consider bringing lynx back,” said Deborah Brady, lead ecologist for The Lifescape Project.
“The partners would support a release of lynx in England if there is both an area in Britain where lynx can live, and local people are accepting of the animal.
“Our research has shown that lynx released in Northumberland could grow into a healthy population across the area and the bordering parts of southern Scotland.
“ The project is hosting The Missing Lynx exhibition which gives communities a chance to find out more and share their views on bringing back this missing species.
“Nature is in crisis and one in six species is now at risk of extinction in this country.
“Lynx are one of the native species that were once part of the rich mix of wildlife found in our countryside and one of many species that have vanished due to human impact.
“Animals and habitats are part of an interconnected web of life and huge efforts are being made to restore wildlife and the places that they depend on wherever possible.
“Replacing missing parts of this jigsaw such as lynx can help rebuild our ecosystems.”
It comes after the National Sheep Association (NSA) said that reintroducing lynx would cause “stress” and “anxiety” to local farmers.
While deer are thought to make up the bulk of a lynx’s diet, they are known to predate upon sheep and other small animals such as hare and grouse.
NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said that the public would be equally repulsed by attacks on sheep by lynx as they are by attacks committed by domestic dogs.
“The potential impact is wide and far reaching, including the stress placed on farmers knowing that an apex predator is in the vicinity,” he said.
“We know the effect that domestic dogs attacking sheep has on farmer anxiety levels and the repulsion these attacks are met with by the public.
“Why it would be OK for a sheep to be attacked by a lynx instead is irrational.”
However, Brady insisted that no reintroduction project would go ahead without the backing of local communities.
She said: “At the moment the Missing Lynx Project is at the start of a conversation about lynx – we want to listen to people and hear their opinions.
“No reintroduction of lynx will happen unless local people accept lynx back again.
“Interviews, questionnaires and workshops are happening alongside a travelling exhibition – and we welcome everyone to voice their opinion.
“Lynx are woodland animals that mainly eat deer but there is a risk of sheep predation through chance encounters.
“So it’s vital that farmers and landowners are involved in any decisions and planning of any future potential reintroduction.
“In Europe – in France, Germany and Switzerland where people coexist with these animals, solutions have been developed to reduce risk to sheep.
“The farming focus group within this project will assess the risk to livestock and discuss how mitigation might be used in this country and, if predation were to happen, what compensation would be appropriate.”
More details on the exhibition can found at The Missing Lynx Project website.
