Kintyre councillor condemns illegal lynx releases in Scotland

Reports indicate that at least four lynx were illegally released near Kingussie, leading to significant challenges for their survival in the wild, with one lynx having died following its capture. 

Incidents like this, says Councillor Redman, highlight the dangers of rewilding efforts conducted outside of legal frameworks and without community consultation.

He believes these releases are part of a broader agenda that “disregards the needs of rural communities” and he emphasised the impracticality of introducing predators into today’s Scotland, where farmland, livestock, and human settlements create unavoidable conflicts.

“The illegal release of lynx and the wider rewilding agenda are reckless and ideologically driven,” he said. “They prioritise abstract environmental theories over the practical realities of rural life.

“Our farmers and crofters are already under immense pressure, and these proposals add yet another burden to their shoulders.”

Rewilding advocates claim ecological benefits from predator reintroductions, but Councillor Redman remains sceptical. 

“Deer management and biodiversity improvement can be achieved through sustainable and practical measures, without resorting to high-risk predator introductions,” he said. “These policies do not serve the interests of Scotland’s rural communities and should be firmly rejected.”

Councillor Redman has called for a full investigation into the illegal lynx releases and is urging the Scottish Government to abandon its rewilding agenda in favour of policies that respect rural communities and their way of life.

He said: “I stand with my constituents who have made it clear that they do not want rewilding policies forced upon them. It is time to listen to the people who will be directly affected by these decisions.”