from The Gloucestershire Citizen
Scientist Jamie Wyver is working on a project which could result in the reintroduction of the lynx to the Gloucestershire district.
But at this stage student at Imperial College, London, is “exploring attitudes” towards bringing back the animal once native to this country.
Jamie, who is studying a masters’ degree in conservation science, said: “Conservation isn’t about fencing off areas and keeping people out. It’s about working with people.
“When we’re discussing wildlife reintroductions it is vital to talk to those who may be directly affected by the return of certain animals.
“In this case I’m keen to hear from farmers, gamekeepers, landowners and others who live and work in the countryside.”
His project focuses on the Forest of Dean and the Scottish Highlands, two areas where a reintroduction may be theoretically possible.
Returning animals to their former ranges is now often discussed in connection with ‘rewilding’; bringing back a carnivore can restore a natural food chain and re-balance an ecosystem.
However, reintroduction projects involving wildlife that has been absent for hundreds of years require careful planning and considerable consultation with the people who will be living alongside those animals.
Paul De Ornellas, Jamie’s project supervisor at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), said “We proposed this research project initially because Lynx are now making a comeback across Europe. The question is, could this happen in the UK as well?”
Jamie is comparing views of people in the Forest of Dean with those of people in the Scottish Highlands.
To take part in this research, complete the online survey here
You can read more about Jamie’s project on his blog here