Scotland takes next step towards lynx reintroduction

The reintroduction of lynxes, a species extinct in Britain for at least 500 years, to northern Scotland has moved a step closer as a major consultation has been launched to hear local people’s views on the animals’ potential return to the wild.

The elusive medium-sized cats pose no threat to humans, help maintain healthy ecosystems and prey on deer, whose numbers have exploded in recent years, reaching 1,000-year highs.

Charities supporting the reintroduction of lynx to their natural environment say their return to Scotland “could provide significant benefits for biodiversity, landscapes, communities and businesses”, including by helping manage deer numbers and through tourism.

They said potential undesirable impacts could be managed carefully and that the area contained some of Scotland’s best lynx habitat, with sufficient woodland and enough wild game to support up to 250 cats in total.

Dozens of events across the Highlands and Moray this month will present information and gather local views on the benefits and concerns that will come with the species’ return.

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Since 2020 the Lynx to Scotland group has been assessing whether and how lynxes could return to the Highlands through a carefully managed reintroduction process. The group consists of Scotland: The Big Picture, Trees of Life and the Living Landscape Project.

Steve Micklewright, chief executive of Trees for Life, said: “Northern Scotland can support a thriving lynx population, but social acceptance is just as important – so we are investigating in detail how people feel about restoring this important lost native species.”

Any reintroduction would begin with a small number of bobcats, gradually releasing up to 20 bobcats in total over several years. Long-term monitoring through tracking collars and camera traps will be important to track benefits such as biodiversity and tourism revenue gains, as well as negative impacts such as sheep hunting.

Lisa Chilton, chief executive of Scotland: The Big Picture, said: “Scotland has lost more of its native wildlife than almost any other country. Reintroducing lynxes could help restore balance and breathe new life into the Highland and Moray landscapes, but it will be crucial to do so in a considered, responsible way that addresses questions and concerns.”

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Scotland is one of the few countries where the cat is still missing from the lynx natural habitat. Hunting and habitat loss are believed to have led to the extinction of lynxes in the country several hundred years ago.

Meanwhile, the overabundance of deer has a negative impact on the environment. With the population doubling since the 1990s, the increase in numbers has caused significant damage by preventing woodland regeneration, halting peatland recovery and reducing biodiversity. The eruption is now threatening Scotland’s climate targets by affecting carbon storage and creating conflict with agriculture and forestry. Intensive browsing and trampling stunts the growth of young trees, damages existing forests and peatlands, and leads to landscape degradation and worsening problems such as soil erosion. Road accidents involving deer are also a major road safety problem in Scotland, with approximately 1,850 incidents occurring annually.

Lynx to Scotland is now inviting local people, organizations and land managers (including livestock farmers, foresters, hunters and deer hunters) to share their views and contribute to plans to minimize undesirable impacts as well as maximize the benefits of reintroduction.

“We want to hear from people who live and work in areas where bobcats may one day reintroduce. Their views will help shape how reintroduction, if it continues, can be managed,” said Adam Eagle, CEO of Lifescape.

Details of all public events are being mailed to 89,000 households across 37 postcodes ahead of the first public information sessions on 26 January 2026.

The announcement of the plans comes a year after four illegally released lynxes were caught in Scotland’s Cairngorms National Park, triggering a criminal investigation ongoing. One of the animals died hours after being recaptured. Multiple environmental groups condemned the suspicious release, saying it undermined rewilding efforts. Experts told the Scottish newspaper: Reporter: “Not a good look for Scotland. Not a good look for legal and well-planned reintroduction projects. Not a good look for the possibility of reintroducing lynx to the UK in the future.”