Yahoo News Wild lynx 'to return to Britain for first time in 1,300 years'
The wild lynx could soon return to the British countryside after landowners on the England/Scotland border agreed to the reintroduction of the animals.
The controversial plans to bring back the predators, which were wiped out in the wild in Britain 1,300 years ago, would see six of the animals returned to the wild in Kielder Forest, Northumberland.
The Lynx UK Trust submitted plans for the scheme to Natural England more than a year ago.
Following the agreement, the trust says that it is now a ‘near certainly’ that the reintroduction will go ahead.
The idea has been blocked previously by farmers, who fear that the lynx may attack and kill sheep and other livestock.
But supporters are adamant that a lynx population would benefit the countryside, keeping deer populations under control and acting as a tourist attraction.
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Lynx UK Trust’s r Paul Donoghue said: ‘Literally every landowner we have approached has given permission. It is a massive tick in the box for our application and makes approval a near certainty.
‘I think this speaks volumes for the confidence in the trial reintroduction plan we’ve laid out.
‘Everything is in place to deliver a world class project that will breathe life into Britain’s dying forest ecosystems.’
If the scheme proves successful it could be rolled out in other areas.
A government spokesman for the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs told The I: ‘Any decision to grant a licence to reintroduce lynx into the wild in England will be based on the impacts on affected communities, the wider environment and follow international guidelines.
‘No decision has been made and ministers will decide whether to grant a licence after considering advice from Natural England.’
