Proposals to reintroduce Eurasian lynx to Scotland raise welfare questions for the lynx themselves, deer populations, and livestock that must be weighed in conservation planning.
Lynx reintroduction welfare involves multiple species: lynx themselves gain natural habitats with appropriate prey; deer face predation but benefit from population regulation that prevents starvation; livestock require protection through improved husbandry. The welfare of individual lynx in captivity or semi-captivity before release is a preparation welfare concern. Established European reintroduction programmes have developed welfare protocols for release preparation and post-release monitoring that minimise individual suffering during the transition.