Statement on lynx high court decision
We note the High Court’s decision dismissing a judicial review brought by Lynx UK Trust CIC against Natural England in relation to a specific application submitted in 2022 to return lynx to England.
For clarity, Rewilding Britain is not affiliated with Lynx UK Trust CIC and had no involvement in their application or subsequent legal proceedings.
Responsible rewilding: grounded in evidence and collaboration
We fully advocate for and support returning lynx to Britain and are acutely aware that any potential reintroduction must be carefully planned, responsibly managed, and grounded in open, collaborative engagement with local communities, land managers and stakeholders. It must also involve working through the appropriate regulatory processes with Natural England and other relevant authorities.
Reintroducing missing species is vital to restoring natural processes, rebuilding resilient ecosystems and tackling the climate and nature crises. By bringing back wildlife that has been lost, we can help nature to recover and thrive. Which is why we strongly support exemplary initiatives like the Missing Lynx Project in northern England, that is gathering a robust evidence base, engaging widely and seeking to utilise appropriate legal frameworks.
Restoring hope
Rewilding Britain and the Missing Lynx Project are satisfied that there are routes to reintroduce lynx responsibly in ways which can be lawfully implemented. Returning this shy and elusive wild cat, already successfully reintroduced in recent years to countries such as Germany, Switzerland and Slovenia, will help restore Britain’s depleted ecosystems and make our landscapes more resilient to climate change. Bringing lynx back will not solve the nature crisis on its own, but it can be a powerful example of what responsible nature recovery can achieve.
