Sensible reintroduction key to saving species

The recent abandonment of four Northern lynx in the Cairngorms near our Highland Wildlife Park has sparked an intense and passionate debate about rewilding in Scotland. I was very proud of the response of RZSS staff in working with Police Scotland, Wildland Ltd and other partners to safely capture the lynx.

Sadly, one of the lynx died overnight, with the remaining three taken down to Edinburgh Zoo to go through the necessary biosecurity protocols. I’m glad to say that they have now completed their quarantine period and appear to be in good health. We know that they are all female and estimate them to be less than a year old. We are now carefully considering what the best outcome for them should be, which could include bringing them back to the wildlife park - close to where they were abandoned.

The incident has shone a spotlight on the wider discussion around species reintroductions, with the discovery last week of abandoned feral pigs in another part of the Cairngorms National Park adding further fuel to speculation that ‘rogue rewilders’ may be taking matters into their own hands. It’s been hypothesised that, frustrated by what they see as slow progress from government, some individuals may have decided to bypass the legal and scientific frameworks which are essential for responsible rewilding.

At RZSS, we understand the passion that drives these discussions. We know that restoring species to an area can bring significant ecological and cultural benefits when done properly. However, releasing animals into the wild without the necessary research, planning and consultation is reckless and risks harming both wildlife and local communities. Conservation must be guided by science, collaboration and long-term planning – not by impulsive actions, no matter how well-intentioned they may be.

The debate reached new heights when First Minister John Swinney took the unusual step of publicly stating that his government would not support the reintroduction of large carnivores to Scotland. This stance was met with disappointment from some quarters, including the Scottish Rewilding Alliance, who pointed to a recent poll which showed that 61 per cent of Scots support the reintroduction of lynx.

Clearly, this is an issue that the public cares about deeply, and one that demands thoughtful discussion. While we recognise the complexities of species restoration, it is important not to lose sight of the potential benefits. Lynx, for example, play a key role in balancing ecosystems by controlling deer populations, which in turn can help restore woodlands. Across Europe, successful reintroductions have shown that lynx can coexist with people when managed correctly.
 

Closer to home, RZSS is the lead partners in the Saving Wildcats project, which has been restoring wildcats to Scotland. Following two years of releasing captive-bred wildcats into the Cairngorms, we saw the first litters of kittens born in the wild last summer which is incredible progress. The success of that project has only been possible, thanks to years of preparation and consultation, using a community-led approach, and with ongoing work by many representatives from organisations across Scotland.

I would argue that is the perfect template by which future reintroductions in Scotland should be done – i.e. legally, ethically and with broad stakeholder engagement. This means working closely with landowners, farmers, conservationists and local communities to build trust and ensure that concerns are addressed.

At RZSS, we remain committed to evidence-based conservation and will continue to play our part in these discussions. The recent events in the Cairngorms serve as a reminder that the rewilding debate is not going away. If we are to restore Scotland’s lost species in a responsible and sustainable way, we must approach this challenge with patience, collaboration, and respect for the natural world and each other.

Let’s work together to ensure that rewilding, done right, can be a success story for Scotland’s future.

David Field 
CEO, RZSS