Does Britain need more animals? A rogue agent has released wild cats into the Scottish Highlands. Some believe such tactics are necessary to save Britain’s dwindling biodiversity.
Lynx hunt sparks row over rewilding
Does Britain need more animals? A rogue agent has released wild cats into the Scottish Highlands. Some believe such tactics are necessary to save Britain's dwindling biodiversity.
This month lynxA medium-sized wild cat with brown fur and a short tail. roamed the Scottish Highlands for the first time in 1,000 years. A young pair of the wildcats was spotted in the frosty wilderness. They were bedding in straw, surrounded by dead chicks and porcupine quills. Soon after another pair were found.
This was not meant to be. Many organisations want to release lynx in the Highlands. This is part of a movement called rewilding, which wishes to restore lost plant and animal life.
But the lynx were released too soon, before they were ready to live in the wild. They showed signs of starvation. After being humanelyin a way that is shows kindness, care, and sympathy for humans or animals. recaptured, three of them were able to enjoy a relaxing quarantineA strict isolation imposed to prevent the spread of disease. in Edinburgh Zoo. One died.
Authorities do not know who released the lynx. But the act has been widely condemned. As Royal Zoological Society of Scotland head David Field says: "Their abandonment was reckless to the animals, the public, the community and nature."
Many suspect the criminal to be a rogue rewilder, someone impatient with the slow pace of official rewilding schemes.
They would not be the first. For more than 20 years, activists have "beaver bombed" England's rivers. After successive governments failed to approve wild releases despite promises, "guerrillaA type of warfare in which small groups use their mobility and knowledge of the terrain to harass much larger forces, attacking their supply lines and reconnaissance missions. The term means "little war" in Spanish. rewilders" took action into their own hands.
Rewilding has some passionate supporters. Britain's nature has been hugely damaged by human activity. It has among the lowest levels of biodiversityBiodiversity is all the different kinds of life you'll find in one area - the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world. Each of these species and organisms work together in ecosystems, like an intricate web, to maintain balance and support life. in Europe.1
There has been a 19% decline in the average abundance of wildlife in the UK since the 1970s. Only 14% of important habitats are in a good state. And one in six animal, plant and fungi species are at risk of being lost.2
Rewilding can make amends for these changes. It could reverse some of them. A University of York study even claims that, if we continue current conservation and rewilding projects "there is the potential to increase diversity beyond the levels seen 8,000 years ago in most regions".3
It also benefits us. According to prominent rewilder Derek Gow, recreating natural wetlands "creates huge carbon sinks" that clean the air. Beavers can restore water quality, improve biodiversity and defend against droughtA time when there is not enough water and the ground is very dry. and flooding.4 And access to beautiful natural environments has proven mental health benefits.
Not everyone is on board. Releasing creatures into the wild illegally can hurt other animals. London's canals have been infested with former pet terrapins that eat bird eggs, while its skies are full of parakeets that scare away local birds.
All introductions will have a huge effect on natural ecosystemsComplex networks of living things that rely on each other to survive.. If you release lynx, you also need to ensure a supply of roe deer, rodents and rabbits for them to eat. And you need enough plants to feed these animals. One scheme in the Netherlands saw the new deer, cattle and horses destroy the native vegetation. This was not enough, and many died.5
Beavers have caused trouble for Scottish farmers. One describes how burrowing beavers collapsed an embankment, flooding his fields. Another accuses them of destroying trees.6 Balancing all these interests is a significant challenge.
Does Britain need more animals?
Yes: We have done enormous damage to the Earth. Rewilding is one of the best ways to remedy that. And it is our responsibility to make up for the harm our species has inflicted over the centuries.
No: It is a lovely idea. Turn back the clock. Make a cleaner, greener world. But there are times when you have to make a choice between people and animals. And people should always come first.
Or... Rewilding is a good idea. But it has to be done very carefully so as to not disturb existing ecosystems. Plants are less damaging than animals, so we should focus on restoring them first.
Lynx - A medium-sized wild cat with brown fur and a short tail.
Humanely - in a way that is shows kindness, care, and sympathy for humans or animals.
Quarantine - A strict isolation imposed to prevent the spread of disease.
Guerrilla - A type of warfare in which small groups use their mobility and knowledge of the terrain to harass much larger forces, attacking their supply lines and reconnaissance missions. The term means "little war" in Spanish.
Biodiversity - Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you'll find in one area - the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world. Each of these species and organisms work together in ecosystems, like an intricate web, to maintain balance and support life.
Drought - A time when there is not enough water and the ground is very dry.
Ecosystems - Complex networks of living things that rely on each other to survive.
Lynx hunt sparks row over rewilding

Glossary
Lynx - A medium-sized wild cat with brown fur and a short tail.
Humanely - in a way that is shows kindness, care, and sympathy for humans or animals.
Quarantine - A strict isolation imposed to prevent the spread of disease.
Guerrilla - A type of warfare in which small groups use their mobility and knowledge of the terrain to harass much larger forces, attacking their supply lines and reconnaissance missions. The term means "little war" in Spanish.
Biodiversity - Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you'll find in one area — the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world. Each of these species and organisms work together in ecosystems, like an intricate web, to maintain balance and support life.
Drought - A time when there is not enough water and the ground is very dry.
Ecosystems - Complex networks of living things that rely on each other to survive.