Consultation launched to gauge views of the public
Wild lynx could be reintroduced to parts of the UK, more than 1,300 years after they became extinct. A consultation launched by the Lynx UK Trust is seeking the public's views on the proposal.
The Eurasian lynx is thought to have been hunted to extinction for its fur between 500 and 700 AD in Britain.
As part of the ambitious "rewilding" project, the Lynx UK Trust proposes to release a number of lynx wearing radio tracking devices at three UK sites - in Norfolk, Cumbria and Aberdeenshire.
Initially, an online survey aims to find out whether the public supports or opposes the reintroduction as part of a controlled and scientific trial.
After the consultation is completed, the trust will apply to Natural England and Scottish Natural Heritage for approval.
Dr Peter O'Donoghue from Lynx UK Trust told BBC News: "We're delighted by the overwhelmingly positive response. It will be done in a very controlled, scientific way and we would be sure that everyone's concerns and voices would be taken into account."
The survey can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/reintroduction
Image © David Castor/Wikimedia Commons
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