We argue that the lynx and wolf have been culturally transformed to be romanticised and vilified in Scotland. This cultural transformation is caused by:

🔬 A lack of precise knowledge about the impact of large carnivores
🕵‍♂️ A lack of pluralistic historical knowledge
🦤 The extinction of experience

Thanks! :)

"Without patience, empathy, and dialogue to co-produce a reintroduction plan and coexistence strategies, any legal reintroduction of lynx is doomed to fail – let alone an illegal release."

@georgeholmes.bsky.social @vincentwt.bsky.social @hannalp.bsky.social @chantallyons.bsky.social

While of course it is unrealistic to convince everyone, my gut instinct is that the focus of the rewilding community should be on building trust and dialogue with those communities that currently oppose the reintroduction or are uncertain 🤝

61% is significant, but what's not clear is the geographic distribution of respondents. As proven by the reintroduction of #wolves in Colorado, reintroducing predators without the support of those who will live alongside the animals and carry the burdens of coexistence is deeply problematic 🐺🐑⚖️

Since I wrote this in mid-January the debate has shifted. John Swinney has ruled out any legal #reintroduction of lynx or other large carnivores. In response, the Lynx to Scotland partnership have published a survey which shows that 61% of respondents support the return of lynx and 13% oppose it.