Sir,
Lynx numbers are on the rise in Europe, through natural colonisation and reintroductions, sparking calls for the species’ return to Britain. While this may be undesirable for some, tangible benefits would include helping to control the damaging effects of deer in commercial woodland, and opportunities to boost Scotland’s appeal for nature based tourism.
Reintroducing lynx would be a milestone for British nature conservation. By preying on roe deer, they could play a vital role in maintaining healthy woodlands. But the lynx’s return could bring challenges too, so a respectful dialogue with those who live and work in the countryside is essential before any reintroduction could ever happen.