The Feasibility of a Reintroduction of the Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx) into the Lake District National Park

Abstract

This dissertation aims to study the Lake District as a prospective location for a lynx reintroduction, to do this a number of subsidiary questions and objectives are also to be answered in the study. This is important as past reintroduction feasibility studies have always been conducted in Scotland and never in northern England. A survey to establish local opinions towards the lynx and knowledge of ecological issues was carried out, and research was conducted into the Lynx effects upon ecology (specifically deer populations and the red fox) and habitat requirements, this was compared to the current ecology and habitat of the Lake District to establish whether a reintroduction is feasible.

It was found that; people’s knowledge of issues related to the local ecology was poor; the same applies for knowledge of possible reintroductions and of the lynx. When asked their opinion about a lynx reintroduction into the Lake District, there was a large split between people being for, against and indifferent. This is probably largely due to the lack of knowledge on the issues. A Scottish feasibility study found that a population of 450 lynx is possible, In terms of a similar reintroduction into the Lake District, the author believes that given the over‐abundance of prey and similarity of habitats and land use between parts of Scotland and the Lake District, it is likely a reintroduction could take place, but more specific work into the habitats and ecology of the Lake District would be necessary.