Scotland Weighs Reintroducing Extinct Eurasian Lynx to Highland Wilderness

As of October 2025, conservation organizations in Scotland are exploring the possibility of reintroducing the Eurasian lynx, a predator that has been absent from the region for over a millennium. The Eurasian lynx, the third-largest predator in Europe, was driven to extinction in Scotland around 1,300 years ago due to hunting and habitat loss.

Now, a trio of charities - Scotland: The Big Picture, Trees for Life, and Vincent Wildlife Trust - are leading the "Lynx to Scotland" project to assess whether the cats could feasibly be brought back to the Highlands. The groups have recently advertised for two "lynx engagement officer" roles to represent the project and engage with communities, landowners, and rural groups that could be impacted by the potential reintroduction.

The proposed return of the lynx continues to divide opinion, with critics concerned about the potential loss of livestock and risks to the public. However, rewilding advocates argue that apex predators like the lynx are crucial for maintaining balanced ecosystems. The Lynx to Scotland partnership is committed to a careful, consultative process to address these concerns and explore the opportunities a lynx reintroduction could bring, such as boosting biodiversity and the rural economy.