WATCH: First Minister John Swinney’s refusal to reintroduce lynx is slammed
First Minister John Swinney’s refusal to consider the reintroduction of lynx is ‘out of step’ with public opinion, it is being claimed by supporters.
They said the publication of a new opinion poll today indicates surging public support for the return of the species to Scotland.
The poll coincides with an open letter that has been sent to the First Minister supported by 20 organisations questioning Mr Swinney’s judgment in dismissing the return of lynx out of hand.
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An opinion poll conducted by Survation in January for the Lynx to Scotland Partnership shows that support for the return of lynx to Scotland has increased to 61 per cent.
They said this is a rise of nine points since the last such survey in 2020 and most likely due to growing public awareness of the species and its benefits.
Just 13 per cent of respondents were opposed – a drop of six points.
Steve Micklewright, chief executive of Trees for Life, one of the charities involved, said: “This poll shows that growing numbers of Scots want to see lynx reintroduced and understand that the benefits of their return outweigh any problems they might cause.
“A carefully managed lynx reintroduction would make Scotland’s natural world richer and stronger, providing wider benefits for biodiversity, climate resilience and economic prosperity.”
Supporters say lynx are a ‘keystone species’ which play a vital role in maintaining healthy living systems, and biodiversity is negatively affected by their absence.
But farming bodies fear that their return will impact on their businesses and harm livestock.
Research shows the Highlands has the habitat to sustainably support around 250 lynx.
The species’ reintroduction would require Scottish Government approval, following habitat assessments and a full public consultation.
The open letter to the First Minister calls into question his judgment in dismissing lynx reintroduction when speaking at the recent National Farmers Union Scotland Conference.
At the event, Mr Swinney said: “My government will not be reintroducing lynx, or indeed any other large carnivorous species, in Scotland.”
The letter questions the First Minister’s commitment to tackling the nature emergency, and highlights the environmental, climate and economic benefits of reintroduced species.
The signatories ask why Scotland cannot live with lynx when other countries coexist with much more challenging animals like lions and tigers.
It also highlights the extensive and long-term work being done by the Lynx to Scotland Partnership to understand the concerns of stakeholders and how potential problems could be managed.
Peter Cairns, head of rewilding at SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, said: “Last month’s abandonment of lynx in the Cairngorms was reckless, and such acts are certainly not the way to achieve the return of a lost species to Scotland.
“But none of us can understand why this has led the First Minister to rush to turn his back on any proposal that could reintroduce this important species in a sensible and well-managed way.
“Considering the surging support for the return of lynx, and the efforts being made to ensure that this would be done properly in line with best practice, the First Minister appears out of step with public opinion, and we urge him to reconsider his position.”
The lynx is an elusive, forest-dwelling labrador-sized feline that mainly preys on deer and poses no threat to humans.
Lynx were driven to extinction in Scotland due to hunting and habitat loss in the Middle Ages. They are recovering across Europe with the help of successful, well-planned reintroductions.
The Lynx to Scotland partners are SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, Trees for Life and The Lifescape Project.
For more information, visit www.scotlandbigpicture.com/lynx-to-scotland .
More details about the poll:
* 2025 Survation polling: Fieldwork dates 17-27 January 2025; population sampled – all residents aged 16+ living in Scotland; sample size 2,014.
Respondents were asked: “Following the sighting and capture of four lynx in Cairngorms National Park in January 2025, there has been renewed attention on the species' potential return to Scotland. The lynx, a medium-sized wild cat, contributes to healthy ecosystems, but was driven to extinction in Scotland due to human activity hundreds of years ago. To what extent do you support or oppose the legal reintroduction of lynx to Scotland?”
Results including ‘don’t knows’: 61% support; 13% oppose; 20% neither support or oppose; 6% don’t know. Support for lynx reintroduction rose nine points since the last survey in 2020; opposition to a reintroduction has dropped by six points since 2020.
