Growing fears of Rogue Rewilding in the Scottish Highlands

Growing fears of Rogue Rewilding in the Scottish Highlands

In the Scottish Highlands, four lynxes that were released illegally were caught by parking rangers in an exciting two-day attempt at rescue. The search began on Wednesday evening when two lynts in Cairngorms Nationalpark , one of the last untouched areas in the United Kingdom. The following day the animals could be lured and caught in humane traps.

discovery and concern

Later two more lynxes, which were apparently "deliberately exposed", were discovered on Thursday evening with camera tracking in the same area, reported the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS). Unfortunately, one of the caught lynx has now died, as RZSS CNN announced on Saturday. Despite the initial success of the 48-hour rescue attempt, the discoveries have triggered concerns that some people could operate the re-forming on their own.

Expert opinions on Luchs re-resettlement

lynxes usually ignore people and do not represent a threat, according to Wildlife experts. Some conservationists are calling for the resettlement of the lynx in the Scottish Highlands, but the return of the lost nature is a sensitive topic. David Field, Managing Director of the RZSS, expressed in the BBC Radio 4’s Today program that there were “black sheep among the re-wilding initiatives” that ignore international best practice.

The investigation runs

Edward Mountain, a conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands, said that the second lynx fishing campaign "indicates a coordinated procedure for illegal resettling Luchsen", reported PA Media. The police from Scotland and Ranger of the Cairngorms National Park Authority took part in the extensive attempt to rescue, and investigations were initiated to find out how the animals could roam freely.

quarantine and other measures

The second pair of lynxes was recorded on January 10 at around 6:30 p.m. local time in the park's Kingussie area and brought to nearby Highland Wildlife Park to be examined by veterinarians. The animals are also kept in quarantine for 30 days in the Edinburgh Zoo, said RZSS. Dr. Helen Senn, head of nature conservation at RZSS, said in a message on Friday evening that the past 48 hours were "a roller coaster ride" in which the team worked under extremely difficult conditions around the clock.

conclusion of the zoo

The Highland Wildlife Park made it clear in a Facebook declaration that the illegal release of this lynx was sentenced to the strongest possible words. "It is very unlikely that they would have survived in the wild," added the park.