Stakeholder perspectives on the prospect of lynx Lynx lynx reintroduction in Scotland

Abstract

Conservation translocations are complex and challenging, but are frequently employed to tackle biodiversity decline. Large predator translocations can be particularly emotive and contentious, in part because they present actual or perceived risks to the safety and livelihoods of people. Understanding the social feasibility of conservation translocations is imperative, and provides opportunities to identify and address these risks. In Britain, the Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx is the most frequently raised prospect for large carnivore reintroduction. We used Q‐Methodology to explore stakeholder perspectives on the prospect of lynx reintroduction to Scotland. We identified five perspectives: Lynx for Change was supportive of lynx reintroduction, feeling that lynx could facilitate ecosystem restoration. Lynx for Economy was also supportive, anticipating economic benefits to local communities. No to Lynx was strongly opposed, perceiving that humans were fulfilling the roles of absent large carnivores. Scotland is not Ready supported the conversation but perceived prohibitive socio‐ecological barriers. We are not Convinced was not satisfied that an adequate case for biodiversity gain had been made, but was open to further exploration of the potential. There were important areas of divergence among the perspectives over the potential impacts on sheep farming and the degree to which environments should be managed by people or encouraged to self‐regulate. There was a consensus on a lack of trust between stakeholder groups, which was primarily rooted in participants' experiences of previous wildlife reintroductions and the contemporary management of recovering predators. However, there was also consensus that, should lynx reintroduction continue to be explored, a participatory, cross‐sectoral approach could address these trust issues, help manage existing and emergent conflicts, and build knowledge collaboratively. We provide a foundation for future dialogue between stakeholders over the prospective reintroduction of the lynx to Scotland and recommend a stakeholder‐focused participatory process as the next step. Our findings have wider relevance for wildlife reintroductions, species recovery and conservation conflicts elsewhere. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Leopard subspecies conservation under climate and land‐use change

“…For example, the Eurasian lynx has been reintroduced across Europe (Linnell et al., 2009 ) to Poland (Skorupski et al., 2022 ) and Slovenia, from where they were extirpated in the early 20th century (Kos et al., 2012 ). There is also discussion about reintroducing lynx to its former range in Scotland (Bavin et al., 2023 ; Ovenden et al., 2019 ). However, carnivore translocations can face challenges, primarily due to reported anthropogenically caused mortality (Stepkovitch et al., 2022 ), stressing the importance of considering implications for farmers, hunters and the forestry sector (Drouilly & O'Riain, 2021 ).…”

The Perspectives of Key Stakeholders on the Reintroduction of Apex Predators to the United Kingdom

“…We highlight the importance of having qualitative questions to gather perceptions and attitudes [30]. Having mixed qualitative and quantitative questionnaires, however, often entails smaller sampling efforts than having just multiple-choice online surveys [38][39][40][41]. Other important information to consider at the regional level would be the different types of farmers that would have a different perception of the topic [42].…”

Should individual animals be given names in wildlife reintroductions?

“…Opinions about whether to reintroduce a given species can vary, with different levels of support or opposition held among individuals with different interests (Auster et al, 2020;Bavin et al, 2023;IUCN/ SSC, 2013;Niemiec, Berl, et al, 2020). Naming individual animals can be an effective and popular pro-reintroduction action that engages publics and facilitates an understanding of the natural characteristics of reintroduced species where a flagship individual approach is taken (Jarić et al, 2023).…”