Nature lovers want to bring the lynx, wolf and wild boar back into the wilderness of Scotland.
The new environmental campaign group Rewilding Britain has proposed plans to reintroduce once-native species that were hunted to extinction. This proposal has, however, not received sweeping support — farmers, the Scottish government and other organizations oppose reintroducing large predator species.
The National Farmers Union (NFU) of Scotland urged the government and the Scottish Natural Heritage to "show stronger leadership" on the rewilding issue. According to the union's vice president, Andrew McCornick, recent history is a reminder of the "impact" reintroducing species has on the many benefits the Scottish countryside delivers — such as food, environmental goods, forestry, field sports, renewables and tourism.
The government stated that there are no plans for the reintroduction of large predators.
But whereas these predators pose some obvious threats and reasons for concern, the people behind Rewilding Britain believe the presence of the contested animals would have many positive effects as well.
"These are important keystone species which actually drive ecological processes and we should be looking a lot more seriously at bringing these animals back," said spokeswoman Susan Wright.
The lynx is a roe deer predator and could be useful in areas with an overwhelming deer population. The lynx mostly remains in its habitat in the woods, and is not known to attack humans.
The wild boar grubs in the woodland floor and helps increase diversity of plants. Tree seedlings rise through an impenetrable forest mat when the wild boar digs up bracken rhizomes. The wild boar's wallow also houses water-loving plants, amphibians and insects. Wild boars have escaped into farms and other parts of the countryside, but are more threatened than threatening to locals.
