Northumberland County Council has passed a motion formally opposing any future reintroduction of lynx, a decision that the Missing Lynx Project consortium described as "disappointing." The council voted 44 to seven, with five abstentions, on Wednesday to adopt the motion brought by Rothbury councillor Steven Bridgett.
Project Highlights Community Support
The Missing Lynx Project has been working on plans to bring the Labrador-sized Eurasian lynx back to Britain, where it went extinct hundreds of years ago. The proposed reintroduction site is in north west Northumberland, bordering Cumbria and southern Scotland. According to the project, 72% of people consulted during a year-long engagement exercise supported the idea.
A spokesperson for the Missing Lynx Project said: "While the passing of this motion does not determine the outcome of any future application, we are concerned that it has established a fixed position on a Missing Lynx Project partnership proposal that does not yet exist."
Concerns Over Partnership and Livestock
The motion originally included a clause refusing financial assistance, partnership support, or endorsements to any organisation supporting lynx reintroduction. It was amended to specifically target the Missing Lynx Project. The spokesperson added they were "troubled" the motion could prevent collaboration between the council and project partners: The Lifescape Project, the Wildlife Trusts, and Northumberland Wildlife Trust. These organisations are also attempting to purchase the Rothbury Estate, partly within Councillor Bridgett's ward.
Local farmers and communities have expressed concerns that lynx could target livestock, echoing past refusals of similar reintroduction schemes.
Project Remains Committed
The Missing Lynx Project stated it has engaged with more than 10,000 people over five years. The spokesperson said: "We would only submit a licence application if the evidence demonstrates that a reintroduction is scientifically viable and has broad public acceptance."
Natural England will evaluate any future licence application based on the evidence presented. The project reiterated its invitation for the council to help shape and scrutinise the work as it progresses.
