Wildlife expert calls for return of missing lynx

One of the leading conservationists behind the reintroduction of the osprey and sea eagle to Britain's skies is pressing to reintroduce the lynx to Scotland and has also called for the rapid adoption of the beaver as a flood defence measure.

Roy Dennis, a professional ornithologist and wildlife consultant, has lambasted the red tape that stifles the reintroduction of 'missing species' and the conflict between town and country that confuses the issue.

'I fully support the reintroduction of both the lynx and the beaver, but unfortunately any attempt to bring back the lynx to Scotland is a long way off because of the red tape that surrounds the bodies in charge of decision-making,' said Dennis, 68, who was made an MBE for his services to nature conservation in Scotland in 1992.

Dennis, who was involved with the breeding of sea eagles on Fair Isle in the Sixties, said there needed to be more education, and cited the row over claims that sea eagles recently reintroduced to the wild in the north-west Highlands were responsible for the death of more than 200 lambs.

'I find it difficult to believe that sea eagles are carrying off viable lambs on anything like a regular basis,' said Dennis. 'Lambs die all over the place in spring. When you see arguments like this it's as much to do with a lack of communication between crofters and conservationists.'

An investigation by the RSPB found no evidence that the birds were killing large numbers of lambs. However, the row has been used to highlight objections to the reintroduction of a range of species.

'The important thing is that the lynx could be here ecologically, and the only reasons it's not are political and social,' Dennis said. 'There's a view put about these days that you can't reintroduce these things unless everyone agrees. But can you think of anything where everyone agrees? So much of what goes on is driven by politics and social attitudes, and it's more difficult now because country people genuinely have a difficult time with town people, and that manifests itself in many ways.'

The conservationist will be among a number of top experts who will attend an international conference organised by Scottish Natural Heritage on the management of wildlife species next month.

The reintroduction of the lynx to Scotland is supported by numerous conservation groups, including Trees for Life and the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Supporters point to the country's soaring deer population, which could be managed by lynx. It is estimated that just one of the cats would get through 50 to 60 deer a year.

Research carried out in Europe has shown that lynx eat far more foxes than they do ground-nesting birds, which is one of the fears expressed by estate owners and land managers.

'In Scotland we have to manage deer to protect commercial forestry and we have to manage the foxes to protect game birds, so the lynx, as well as bringing in tourists, is a very practical cat to have around,' said David Hetherington, an ecology adviser in the Cairngorms.

The Eurasian lynx was once a common sight throughout the forest areas of Britain. Deforestation is now widely held to be the reason for its demise in the late Middle Ages.

'I used to think that species could be reintroduced in a progressive way but at the moment there seems to be a backlash because of arguments between the country and the conservation bodies,' said Dennis, who will deliver a speech at the three-day conference, Species Management: Challenges and Solutions for the 21st century, due to open at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh on 29 October. 'Some of these projects are seen as town-inspired and forced on country people, so they aren't popular. Conservationists have to get better at making sure everybody understands the biology and ecology issues.'

Dennis, who was also instrumental in reintroducing the red kite to British shores, supports the beaver reintroduction trial due to start in Knapdale, Argyll, next spring, and believes the animal's reintroduction is essential to prevent the flooding seen recently.

'I wouldn't say the reintroduction of the beaver is progressing well, because it's been on the cards for at least 15 years,' he said.

'The argument for reintroducing the beaver is to do with our ecology. It would be a major player in affecting our water system. They could be very important creatures to have around as the UK feels the effects of climate change.'Wildlife expert calls for return of missing lynx