Proposals to reintroduce Eurasian lynx to Scotland raise welfare questions about individual animals used in reintroduction and the management of human-wildlife conflict in a high-density sheep farming landscape.
Animals translocated for reintroduction experience severe stress during capture, transport, and acclimatisation in new territories. Mortality in the first year post-release is typically high — European lynx reintroductions report 30-50% first-year mortality from poaching, roads, and starvation. Individuals that develop livestock-killing behaviour face lethal management. Long-term survivor welfare depends on prey availability, territory establishment, and absence of further persecution. Pre-release conditioning and adequate preparation improve success rates.