Scotcast Who thinks lynx should roam the Highlands?
Feb 12, 2025
Peter Cairns, a passionate rewilding campaigner and wildlife photographer, teams up with Justin Rowlatt, the BBC's insightful climate editor. They dive into the intriguing idea of reintroducing lynx and feral pigs to the Scottish Highlands. The duo discusses the benefits of apex predators for ecosystem health while tackling community concerns from local farmers. With humor and expertise, they explore the complexities of rewilding, shedding light on the balance between conservation and agriculture in the picturesque Scottish landscape.
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Loose Lynx and Pigs
- Recently, released lynx and feral pigs in the Cairngorms were quickly recaptured.
- This sparked a debate about rewilding in the Highlands.
Skewed Relationship with Nature
- The recent release of feral pigs gained media attention, highlighting a skewed relationship with nature.
- Wild boar already exist in Scotland, making the release not a new phenomenon.
The Need for Lynx
- Reintroducing lynx is important ecologically for maintaining healthy ecosystems.
- Scotland has low biodiversity and could support lynx, which 61% of Scots support.