Who are we?
The Lynx UK Trust CIC was formed in 2014 by a group of experienced conservationists and scientists with specialisations in wild felines, genetics, field research, reintroductions and education who have worked on conservation projects worldwide.
Since the Trust’s formation, the team has grown and now includes many experts and volunteers. We work alongside a number of partners to create a multi-disciplinary team to help us deliver this ambitious project.
Why are we trying to reintroduce the lynx?
Lynx were hunted to extinction 1300 years ago for their pelts. Apex predators such as lynx play a crucial role in promoting forest regeneration and biodiversity by controlling deer numbers. Without this vital species the UK has a huge overpopulation of deer which has led to natural forest regeneration effectively stopping with all the negative biodiversity implications.
According to the State of Nature Report, the UK is now one of the most impoverished countries in the world in terms of biodiversity. As well as a moral obligation to right the wrong of exterminating lynx in the first place, the return of the lynx will breathe life into the UK’s damaged ecosystems and help with climate change mitigation by promoting forest regeneration.
What is our plan?
We are working towards a 5 year trial reintroduction of the Eurasian lynx to two specially selected sites in the United Kingdom. From source populations in northern Europe, we will transport 12 lynx to the UK, who will be fitted with state of the art GPS collars - we will know where these individuals are 24 hours a day. Once released, our team will monitor not just the lynx but also their impact on local ecology and communities.
Currently we are building up to our second license application. Working with a team of expert ecologists and conservationists, we are getting everything in place to submit our application. Our first application was rejected which was entirely expected given that other such reintroductions such as beavers took several license applications to get permission.
We have addressed the comments we received and are now preparing to resubmit in 2020. With your help we are confident of a positive outcome. There is no time to waste, the UK needs lynx back now.
What we've achieved so far
- Driven forward the agenda for bringing lynx back to the UK.
- Educated millions of people through the media about the importance of lynx in the UK.
- Featured on the BBC Breakfast News, the One show and numerous other news programmes both in the UK and overseas.
- Carried out the UK’s largest species reintroduction public survey. We got over 9500 respondents with a 92.8 % public approval rating.
- Conducted the first ever national stakeholder meeting on lynx reintroduction.
- Consulted with over 150 stakeholder organisations.
- Carried out local consultation events in suitable sites.
- Delivered a school education programme.
- Given talks all over the UK to various interest groups.
- Carried out detailed ecological assessments of sites across the UK.
- Invited to Westminster to meet the Secretary of State, to discuss our plans.
- Submitted the first ever license application for lynx to return to the UK.