Releasing just 20 lynx into Northumberland could be enough to establish a healthy wild population, according to new research – and most local residents would support the move.

Northumberland Wildlife Trust has been exploring whether the wild cats, which were hunted to extinction in Britain around 1,300 years ago, could be successfully reintroduced.

A paper published in the Journal of Environmental Management used modelling to show that lynx could thrive in the region. The study found that releasing 20 animals over several years into  Kielder Forest would eventually create a sustainable population of around 50 lynx, ranging across north-west Northumberland, parts of Cumbria, and into southern Scotland. Researchers concluded that this was the only part of England and Wales with sufficient woodland to support them.

Supporters of reintroduction argue that lynx would bring significant ecological benefits. By hunting deer, which are currently overpopulating woodlands and damaging trees by stripping bark, the cats could help restore healthier forest ecosystems.

The Eurasian lynx is a shy predator, slightly smaller than a Labrador, that prefers extensive tracts of dense forest. In the UK, few areas remain large enough to sustain them. However, the species has already been successfully reintroduced in parts of Europe, including Germany, Switzerland and France.

Because of its extensive woodland, Northumberland was identified by the Wildlife Trusts as the most suitable location for a potential reintroduction. A year-long consultation revealed that 72% of people in the project area were in favour.

Farmers, however, expressed concerns about the risk to livestock, particularly sheep. To address these fears, the Wildlife Trusts organised visits to European regions where lynx have already been reintroduced, allowing British farmers to meet their counterparts who have lived alongside the animals for decades.

Lauren Harrison, who has a sheep farm in Cumbria, near Hadrian’s Wall, said: “I saw in Europe that it’s possible to live alongside lynx. The risks to livestock can be minimal and there are so many positives. Tourism is an obvious one, but I also think a more balanced ecosystem is beneficial to farmers.

“I’ve been really impressed with the approach and the professionalism of the Missing Lynx Project. I think it’s really setting the standard for reintroduction projects. Consultation has been at the heart of everything they do. They have really listened and are still keen to work with farmers to make sure any reintroduction is well managed.

“I’d urge other farmers to engage with them and take some ownership of the project. The wider public clearly supports a lynx reintroduction and this is a great chance to help make it happen with so little risk to our businesses.”

The Wildlife Trusts were also central to the campaign to bring beavers back to England, a milestone achieved legally for the first time this year after government approval. Any release of lynx into the wild would likewise require ministerial consent.

Dr Rob Stoneman, the director of landscape recovery at the Wildlife Trusts, said: “Bringing back lynx could benefit wildlife more widely, something that is sorely needed in this nature-depleted country. We have pushed many native species to extinction, and it makes sense to bring missing wildlife back where feasible.

“Bison and beavers have invigorated degraded habitats and this consultation shows there is now an opportunity for us to bring back lynx too.”

 

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At Natural World Fund, we are passionate about restoring habitats in the UK to halt the decline in our wildlife.