Should lynx be re-introduced to Britain in future? | BBC News

[@LeaveCurious]

This is such a half arsed job by the BBC. Its embarrassing to frame a water vole reintroduction as ‘covert’ - I filmed a water vole reintroduction by Dereks team and it was a brilliant day for the community and nature. Britains wildlife is in tatters. Many are unaware of how deprived of nature we are in this country. The BBC had a chance to do this story justice and instead did this. The work at Rewilding Coombeshead is immense & going from strength to strength. Derek & his team needs to be highly praised!

[@InsoIence]

Fancy seeing you here! I love your work. To anyone reading this, I can't recommend this channel enough. The vole video is so informative and illustrates how reintroduction of native species changes landscapes, as the ecosystem's chain rebuilds itself. Thank you for everything you do.

[@mymateian]

Love your channel!

[@morswestford]

I gave up on this shit news network ages ago they twist reality so much they are actully not providing anything good to the public.

[@AnimalRightsExplained]

Well said Rob!

[@DavidCarrier-e7e]

Hi Rob, yes a bit silly really, along with Mossy Earth our project was also part funded by Natural England and also crowdfunding so was actively promoted on socials and out website. Not very covert!

[@adamturner2204]

"There is no way to control these species." Erm, we previously made them extinct my dude.

[@jenson1569]

Also caught those 4 that were released within days of there release, really wouldn’t be that difficult to remove them again if needed.

[@criticalThinkerLad]

The cats will eat the animals the Uk isnt big enough for a sustained eco system of this type. energy is significantly higher to produce meat why not be normal and release deer that you can hunt.

[@lfcmike12]

​@criticalThinkerLadEh? They were sustained here for thousands of years before we hunted them to extinction here, same with British Black Bears and our wolves. You're just wrong there mate. Now if it's a good idea to release them into our current eco system is another question, but they could survive here without a doubt.

[@sparkymark68]

​@criticalThinkerLadThere are 1.2-1.5 million deer in the UK, more than a in Norman times. This number is increasing and they cause great ecological damage. They need controlling.

[@BigRedArrowEqualsTinyPeePee]

your dude? lol

[@coleashraf9621]

I fully support this. Through no fault of their own, I don’t think most people in Britain are aware of just how depleted our natural landscape is. We’ve lost 97% of our meadows since just the 1970’s, if that’s any indication of how bad things are. Nature here needs to be revitalised, and to do that we need to bring back an apex predator. Lynx are shy, nocturnal and not known to attack people. They’re the best candidate to help reign in our rampant deer population, and help the wider ecosystem recover.

[@killabee420kl7]

The UK was wetlands and Forrest's as well, we lost everything it's all basically gone, people need to take it into their own hands and break the law, the damage was done when we killed most these animals off its, that bald prick sayi g it's irresponsible is only thinking about how it affects their pocket, the planets health is more important especially when we are actually going through a plant wide extinction event, most people don't realise this might be it for us now

[@Peckywright]

I have never seen a trader as open and transparent as Hilda Leticia Novoa with her clients. The way she decides to make a profit for her clients. she allows you to express your fears and she still rests your fears and that is my respect. I don't normally comment on videos, but this word should be included. she is really cool.

[@Supermom__2]

I just looked up her name on the website. She is licensed and has an amazing track record.

[@Craicfox161]

Replaced it with litter

[@robertskolimowski7049]

Are they in any way better to control/help the ecosystem than wolves?🤔💚

[@crazysc0tsman]

A surprisingly unbalanced approach from the BBC interviewer/reporter. They had both parties talk but only aggressive questions towards the rewilder and no questions aired towards the NFU. I expect better of the BBC.

[@adam_ncl]

It would appear the days of the BBC being a trustworthy and impartial news outlet are long gone.

[@tisI-yz4hu]

This is really normal for the bbc tbh has been for years now

[@geraintmatthews6550]

That was very one sided reporting against Derek Gow and the incredible work he and his employees do. The majority of the British public support species reintroductions. Poor from the BBC.

[@escapetoruralwales]

I live on a 10.5 acre plot in the welsh mountains and I am rewilding. All around me is farmland that has been grazed by sheep for generations. We need to get trees and biodiversity back

[@acorncs]

Yeah cos that employs people and feeds the nation doesn't it

[@sparkymark68]

​@@acorncs read about Knepp. You'll be surprised.

[@TheCian19]

​​​​@@acorncsactually it does help employment from tree surgeons, vets, sheep shearers, farmhands, wool classers and lamb and mutton etc

[@kieranb7047]

​@@acorncsIn modern farming, 1 acre of land feeds about 16 people in one thing in a good year. Multicultural farming can feed 5 times that in an acre. Modern day farming is not productive and the majority of Welsh mountain land is not suitable for growing crops so is only good for animals. So rewinding would mean more food like pheasant, chicken, wild boar, deer, rabbit and duck. But people just think vast fields of sheep is natural 😂😂

[@irw8367]

@@kieranb7047exactly. The farmers don’t even care either, they’re just doing it because of ‘tradition’. So many upland farms I’ve been to and there’s countless sheep remains in ditches and remote areas, clearly telling that the farmers rarely checked on their sheep like they would’ve done as Shepard’s in the past. Sheep also don’t need such huge areas of land

[@silentmarkets]

Felt like the interviewer had something against the rewilder, along with the NFU President I think they're being ridiculous. Why shouldn't we restore our nature? Means we get to enjoy it for longer. A stable environment is worth a lot of money. These people don't understand that because all they care about is short term money!

[@napolean_ragland]

Spend a lot of time up in the Highlands do you?

[@irw8367]

@@napolean_raglanddo you the highlands are managed well? Like seriously? The grouse moors, the empty land without growing shrubs and trees, the hill farming that takes up so much vast area for such few sheep all because of ‘tradition’. Scotland needs big changes to the land usage and ecosystems

[@napolean_ragland]

@ Scotland doesnt need Lynxs

[@irw8367]

@@napolean_ragland explain why? Deer are in a huge number in Scotland. Even if a lynx doesn’t catch one, it keeps the deer on their toes and prevents them from sticking to the same areas for too long. They were once in Scotland only a few centuries ago, and they’re an important part of british wildlife. This countries nature is collapsing, caring about what once were will help in restoring it. Scotlands also very sparely populated, there’s little to no issue.

[@silentmarkets]

@@napolean_ragland I’ve spent a lot of time in lots of parts of the UK. We need to restore its biodiversity. You just say “Scotland doesn’t need Lynxes” without reasoning. No offence, but you clearly don’t know a lot about rewilding! You have to reintroduce species to restore balances. Plants and animals have a unique co-dependency. When it’s just humans, especially polluting humans (fertilisers and lots of litter), everything begins to die. I don’t want this country looking like some parts of India, where they’ve covered it in trash.

[@annarichter484]

The lynx in Scotland were captured, because the were left in the wild in the mids of winter without having the resources to fend for themselves which is animal cruelty and it is undermining actual efforts to introduce the lynx back into the Scottish Wild. I am glad that the breeder said that his animals were not suitable but BBC you can do better.

[@jonnymts]

100000% yes. It depresses me how depleted our wildlife is in the British isles

[@JohnofthefamilySmith]

Geo-engineering is killing all the wildlife and trees.

[@SongDog9]

Bring the native species back!!!

[@skycloud4802]

The cave bear and sabre tooth would be pretty cool.

[@theblackhand6485]

Stop White washing!

[@JR47846]

@@skycloud4802 found the american

[@larsbjrnson3101]

Where I live in Norway the lynx population picked up in the 80's and everyone was saying the would wipe out the deer population. But the population of deer actually grew and became healthier. I've only seen them 3 times and they stay away from people.

[@rjjcms1]

Yes,just slightly bigger pussycats instinctively timid of humans. These species were all here before our ancestors wiped so many out. Wouldn't like to encounter or mess with a boar,though.

[@JohnofthefamilySmith]

@@rjjcms1 There is no evidence that our ancestors wiped them out.

[@ALLAHSARSE]

JUST LIKE THE TROLLS

[@rjjcms1]

@@JohnofthefamilySmith I thought most of them were either hunted out of existence or too much of their habitat cleared or occupied for them to sustain a population.

[@Wanderer628]

The difference being that Norway is a sparsely populated country with vast tracts of land where literally no one lives. It's not remotely comparable to how densely populated the UK is. The only place this would be feasible is in the Scottish Highlands and that does nothing to deal with the deer population in the rest of the UK.

[@Scampi95]

Yes. ANYTHING to make this country more interesting.

[@richardKent-k8l]

How did they become extinct then alive again.

[@richardKent-k8l]

I think we should turn the UK into Jurassic park then build an island out of our colonial history turn into a theme park.

[@PootPootMagoot]

@@richardKent-k8l the species didn't go extinct, the eurasian lynx went locally extinct in britain but they still survive in mainland eurasia

[@RalphdontGAF]

More interesting you say? How about piranhas, kangaroos, and platypusses?

[@Callum38]

@@RalphdontGAF I don't know if you're being sarcastic or not but yes to all of these. This country is so bleak and mind numbingly, monotonously soul-crushingly boring and yet extremely stressful that any introduction of wildness and nature is good in my book.

[@mmmp5kw3]

Definitely. We should do this immediately.

[@KeosiDBD]

As an MSc student in Biodiversity and Conservation, the Lynx could do wonders in the Scottish highlands, and perhaps more rural areas of England and Wales where deer or sheep are overpopulated. In those areas, excessive grazing prevents the regrowth of flora and forest cover that could be vital in off-setting British deforestation and climate change.

[@KeosiDBD]

With that being said, I do not support this individual’s philosophy of “I’m going to do it anyway.” It’s reckless and irresponsible. It is entirely possible that introducing species without a meticulous scientific approach could do more harm than good. It’s also important to remind ourselves that these are living creatures, not tools to support our own agendas. Introducing a population improperly could lead to the entire loss of life of that population.

[@coleashraf9621]

I had a lecture last year which demonstrated this. The lecturer put up an image of a deer-fenced area. On the open side, it was nothing but a bare layer of grass. On the fenced side, where deer couldn’t graze, there were numerous young trees and wildflowers.

[@markwilkie3677]

Perhaps so but its not a job for idiotic individuals. I`m Scottish and would like to see individuals who unilaterally release Lynx and wild boar in Scotland facing huge fines. Who on earth do these people think they are!

[@richardKent-k8l]

I think we should turn the UK into Jurassic park and mix it up with British empire history. Be great wouldn't it. It would be great. We can do the UK a history through time.

[@jenson1569]

@@coleashraf9621hence why the linx reducing the deer population could benefit so much.

[@MolecularClock]

C'mon BBC, edit your videos wearing headphones!

[@Maxibo234]

Hard to keep up with the content cycle in all fairness 😊

[@rocketryan91]

Yes, there's so many species extinct from the UK ecosystem. Binging the balance back could make our wilderness even more stunning

[@Thoughtful-]

Yeah go on, let's have some Lynx again

[@karmakimesh7071]

You have to agree the lynx are good looking.

[@icba9292]

My left ear specifically loved this video

[@amirgurung6148]

Lmao 😅 I actually didn't realize until I saw this comment.

[@zapfanzapfan]

Came looking for the comment.

[@MarvynG]

indeed

[@ESLKidsWorld]

As a Brit, we cannot preach to other nations regarding their own incompetencies when coexisting with indigenous species when we have failed to do so. No brainer to bring them back. #rewilding

[@Me-nq3tt]

National Farmers Union representative calling the rewilder's actions irresponsible is the height of hypocrisy.

[@brand8590]

The US reintroduced Wolfs to Yellowstone Park after 100 years of absence. The effects were amazing. Animals, wildlife and even plant life not seen in the park for decades started to return. Even the land seemed to recover. Nature seemed to balance out and everyone was delighted especially the park rangers. The return of the natural predators to the region they occupied naturally had dramatic effect. Here's hoping the same thing happens in Britain.

[@JohnofthefamilySmith]

People would need weapons to protect themselves just like US.

[@JohnDoe-yi4qg]

how did they manage to screw up the audio so bad

[@expatalan6511]

Fix a mistake and reintroduce. Good for the ecosystem and don’t proliferate. Also a beautiful sight to see in the wild if your lucky enough 👍🏻🇨🇦

[@nottgri]

Extremely lucky. They avoid people.

[@expatalan6511]

@@nottgri I am very familiar with this animal being a Canadian. Very shy animal and avoid people yes. But every now and then they show up unnoticed and unannounced and you may be lucky enough to get that pic👍🏻

[@jasongrim-m1p]

Would they attack humans?

[@expatalan6511]

@jasongrim-m1p Never heard of it. They avoid humans. Smart ☝🏻 This is an animal of the true wilderness.

[@expatalan6511]

@jasongrim-m1p Never heard of them attacking anyone. They avoid people and are an animal of the true wilderness, not a city dweller.

[@olorin4317]

Reintroduction of native animals in a balanced way should be encouraged. We need to create healthy soil, build more underground, and plants trees so that hopefully the earth’s surface can heal as much as possible. It’s not too late for humanity to survive.

[@janeannabeleades8193]

If this is what passes for public service broadcasting, Beeb, then shame on you. Rewilding and species re-introduction are crucial topics that deserve far more than 3 minutes of "News" interspersed with a diss from the NFU and the BBC Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt knows it.

[@ericaceous1652]

Yes. Unequivocally yes.

[@joegaylard6142]

Building more house is doing more harm , than releasing wildlife 🤦‍♂️

[@me-wj9hd]

100%reintroduce.

[@janetseidlitz5976]

Can't control them eh? How did they become un-alived in the first place? Healthy native ecosystems are priceless.

[@anthonyhiggins7409]

Yes. We share our planet with other life. We need to remember this. This is their world too.

[@SLEEPY1701]

The animals were here first pal

[@matthiasr2739]

Ask anyone from continental Europe... Lynx don't impact livestock and have never ever been a threat to humans... so what is the problem?

[@JR47846]

im from a area with lynxes and wolves also most cattle isnt intensive so they graze freely, neither lynx or wolf are a problem, lynx causes no issues and wolve with a little of adaptation also 0 damage

[@huck98]

Just shoddy journalism here tbh. Didn't even bother explaining the huge benefits of these reintroductions - for example beavers transforming ecosystems both to the benefit of many other species and actually reducing flood risk to human towns in the process. The state of nature in this country is absolutely dire and we need rewilding urgently, so disappointing to see the BBC frame it as some weird sinister activity

[@dresantorini1770]

If there native and humans have had there hand in the animals extinction then 100% re introduce

[@jackthedude123]

“Where are the impact assessments” dudes worried about money as per

[@bensteen99]

Very one sided, unnecessarily controversial story telling. Derek and his team are doing amazing things for uk wildlife and should be praised and supported for what they do. We need more people doing the same, and a more positive outlook on the role rewilding can and should have here in the UK. Poor from the BBC!

[@_ArsNova]

Complex question. Hard to just restore a single species. You have to rebuild the entire ecosystem that supported them.

[@geraintmatthews6550]

Which is why you need to reintroduce as many of those missing species as possible. Ecosystems rely on species interactions.

[@GG-mu4wg]

Admire the guy's passion, but introducing more native animals is pointless if the habitat can't support it.

[@freddieanderson182]

Great work that man, the government should be supporting projects like this 👏

[@ionoi7885]

If the animal is native then its their home

[@JohnofthefamilySmith]

There is no evidence of that.

[@jenson1569]

@@JohnofthefamilySmithyou have got to be kidding me there’s no evidence of them being native 🤣🤣🤣 🤡

[@tcroydon2864]

@@JohnofthefamilySmithA quick search would show you there is plenty of evidence. Think before you speak mate

[@JohnofthefamilySmith]

@ There’s no evidence unless you believe the mainstream. 🤡

[@JohnofthefamilySmith]

@@jenson1569 There’s no evidence unless you believe the mainstream. 😆 🤡

[@davidmunro2077]

What would he say to the parents of a little child which was eaten and killed by one of the Lynx which he obviously would like to release into the wild ?

[@andrewjones-productions]

The recent unauthorised release of lynx in Scotland has been criticised by some rewilding groups too. There is a specific process that must be followed and those rewilding groups work with authorities and farmers. I'm all for ensuring that indigenous species are protected and reintroduced, but there must be a consensus and agreement before it happens as otherwise it not only causes other problems, but hampers any future projects. Each release or rewilding programme must be seen as a success to encourage other programmes. 'I'll do it anyway' is neither a strategy for success or a responsible thing to be doing. Rearing, researching and breeding those animals on the farm is good, but this person must work with established groups and the authorities and all stakeholders.

[@truestcause]

There’s not much real wilderness in Scotland in terms of mixed native woodland. It’s baron and mostly pines. The wild cats are so awesome though.

[@pidgeonpost]

Responsible releases with provisions for containment, control, and population management is one thing, irresponsible releases with no such measures in place is a recipe for disaster.

[@jackstone4291]

Irresponsible is importing in lumber, foodstuffs, plants from all over the world because it’s cheaper but brings in invasive, destructive fungus, insects and plants (rhodendron, Himalayan balsam, etc) NOT releasing benign native creatures (and plants too?) in to the native habitat to give native biodiversity a chance in the uk.

[@bck481]

I have been using Lynx since the 90s, Never went away

[@ALLAHSARSE]

BRUT...

[@atlasweylandeden1091]

”He’s a dangerous maverick” Shows a softly spoken Scotsman To anyone interested, I would highly recommend reading any of Derek’s books. They’re educational, humbling, and outrageously funny. He’s both an inspiring example of conservational farming, and a damn good writer.

[@DanePavitt]

The most important concept I've taken to heart about conservation & habitat through formal study, field work, outreach, etc. is Shifting Baseline syndrome. We've become so acclimatised to living in a depauperate biosphere that we have no frame of reference for what a healthy ecosystem should actually look like. Even after the end of the ice age killed off most of the megafauna, these islands were a mosaic of temperate rainforest with everything from elk to wolverines to pelicans. Now its all overmanaged pasture, grouse moors & parkland, & any animal that can't be farmed or shot at for sport is demonsied & extirpated

[@shaf60]

Yes More Lynx Less Humans .

[@JohnofthefamilySmith]

More native people.

[@shaf60]

@JohnofthefamilySmith in the animal kingdom's mind humans are the animals .

[@Maxibo234]

This guy is cool as fuck

[@tedforsstromjacobsson4160]

There’s too much research to back these interventions for us not to implement them as soon as possible. We need more balanced ecosystem and rewilding through reintroduction of native species seems especially potent when done right.

[@salkoharper2908]

There's more wildlife in the Urban areas now. I live in North London and there are Foxes everywhere, too many birds to count. We have Herons and kingfishers in the park near me. Hawks and Falcons living in tall buildings. There are bats and even an Owl ive seen at night. There are water voles and Badgers. Paradoxically, the urban cities are the last bastion of British wildlife. If you go to the countryside, most areas are green deserts of monoculture agriculture. There are very few animals left in most farmland areas. I see many more foxes in London now, than in the home counties.

[@matthewhenthorn3343]

I'd say put a vegan in charge of the livestock commission and see how the view changes. If greenhouse emissions are linked to Livestock farming, and the only way to remove them from the shelves is to release them from the farms, predators like the lynx might be the only way to prevent further damage to the environment by rampant overgrazing. All I'll say is, look at Yellowstone.

[@geraintmatthews6550]

Typical response from the NFU. Always entirely resistant to change, no matter what benefits the wider ecosystems would gain.

[@JeffreyGoddin]

Wish the Farmers Union was as concerned with introducing fungal and bacterial pests hitchhiking on shoes of international fliers. Oh wait, then they'd be up against something difficult, though real, much easier to protest voles who don't fight back, despite their only harm being psychological.

[@artvampire5421]

Good brave man. Doing what’s best for nature to help it thrive.

[@Joeink100]

This video seems both very biased and the audio is mastered badly. Bad job bbc

[@marktrigg467]

Yes, they should. We're sadly one of the most nature depleted countries and we should do everything we can to restore our biodiversity. I'm also in favour of reintroducing wolves

[@spence_outdoors_scotland]

Yes 100% will keep the roe deer and boar numbers down. There has never been a lynx attack anywhere in the world on a human

[@LivingroomTV-me9oz]

Rewilding the U.K. is so important, it makes me cry to think that one pariah is leading the charge and not, you know, the BRITISH GOVERNMENT.

[@3152dan]

Wow - what a missed opportunity to educate and inform the public. Instead of recognising the sorry state of nature in the UK you choose a clown of a presenter to interrogate Derek and frame him as irresponsible when he’s been responsible for some of the best nature recovery stories in the UK - he’s a bright light in this dark world and honestly an inspiration. Why show that clip from the NFU? Any time you read any positive nature policy coming out of the UK the NFU will never be far behind complaining about how they are challenging it - I honestly can’t stand them! Yes, I acknowledge the importance of food security in the UK but farmers need to recognise that their industrial agriculture has wrecked havoc in the UK causing us to be in of the most nature depleted countries in the world

[@michalkadlec8108]

Why is this even a question? Lynx should be reintroduced immediately

[@tblcville]

dude is a true hero... look what humans did in the last 500 years we wilding is the best chance our world has a stabilizing many of these areas

[@juliangreaves4727]

Yes. Stop messing about and get on with it.

[@ginlane2867]

Good for this guy, why should everyone bow down to the farming lobby which let's face it, is the power behind all these decisions! The government is afraid of them, it would do well for British people to eat less meat anyway, we could have less big sheep farms and more proper wilderness, which would be a definite benefit for the environment and for our health!

[@heron7186]

Haha! It's a good job there's people like this guy who know the importance of wildlife,and the facts. Rather than BBC idiots incharge of these matter's. They clearly don't even know what a water vole is! And the fact there already in the UK. It's because of people like that reporter our countryside is a shambles!! Much love to all the people doing there bit to help our wildlife!!

[@richardjohnson5529]

Yes.

[@tagueuleptn]

They're bringing them up all back on the continent why not in Britain ?

[@harryvlogs7833]

Dont think that farmer guy know anything about nature

[@Jordanthekind]

No, they shouldn’t. They make horrible deodorants. I prefer Sure or Rightguard.

[@soton5teve]

Rightguard* it protects against tommy robinson

[@matthiasr2739]

Release them all!!!

[@ShoaibKhan-wv8zc]

Absolutely

[@Jmonaham30]

Lovely creatures

[@gotsumana]

doubt anything wants to willingly live in british weather 😂

[@filip1979]

This is one of those books you wish you'd found sooner The Censored Guide to Wealth on Bovolorus is amazing

[@rakibchem9849]

I read about Lynx in Cambridge IELTS book, there was also controversy without any decision about its repatriation in Britain.

[@rattlestormrepublic4874]

Bro's like the real life version of Hagrid!

[@Not_Andrew-r1j]

in Scotland most of the land is owned by a small number of rich people who only care about using that land for hunting. They want no competition from apex predators such as Lynx or Wolves and as they have land and money they have sufficient lobbying power for reintroduction to not happen. Until we significantly change that, nothing of any significance will happen.

[@theblackhand6485]

King Charles and his entourage.

[@Not_Andrew-r1j]

@ would wanna keep the game all to themselves

[@wilwester]

Whoever wrote the title should go back to school

[@SirJimmySavileOBEKCSG]

It was me

[@simonsimon325]

and take the sound guy as well

[@JohnDoe-pk2hs]

I honestly didn't even notice till you said something, my brain auto corrected their mistakes.

[@AmirSatt]

What are the mistakes besides "in the future"?

[@VisualBliss.]

Where can i vote to make this happen?

[@adenwellsmith6908]

What about Old Spice? Lynx is for teenagers.

[@iolo1920]

Yes. Big up rewilding

[@stubronstein9932]

They seem really cuddly....pppssssttttpppppssstttt...🐈

[@theblackhand6485]

This is really controversial. It is Neddenriep good to restore wild life but on the other hand it is ridiculous to start breeding such a wild life and keep them in captivity. That harms these animals. Then please release them in the Pyrenees where they still live.

[@RogueWJL]

Wonderful Full support.

[@TheDataman2]

The UK is statistically the least 'wilded' country in europe. That means we have destroyed more of our natural habitats than any other european country. the population of farmland birds in the UK has declined by 63% since 1970. This is part of a wider decline in bird populations across the UK, with 48% of bird species declining between 2015 and 2020. The main cause of this is intensive farming. We've also lost around 70% of our insects over the last 20 years- again due to intensive farming, pesticides and a creeping urban area destroying green zones. The loss of these insects have had a massive impact on other species like bats, birds etc. we're facing wildlife's extinction and the blood is on the hands of farmers and industrialists i'm afraid. And I say that as the son of a farmer.

[@salkoharper2908]

There's more wildlife in the 'Urban areas' now mate. I live in North London and there are Foxes everywhere, too many birds to count. We have Herons and kingfishers in the park near me. Hawks and Falcons living in tall buildings. There are bats and even an Owl ive seen at night. There are water voles and Badgers. Paradoxically, the urban cities are the last bastion of British wildlife. If you go to the countryside, most areas are green deserts of monoculture agriculture. There are very few animals left in most farmland areas. I see many more foxes in London now, than in the home counties.

[@TheDataman2]

@ thats a poor example youve picked because adaptable scavenging type species like foxes and badgers can do relatively well in semi-urban (not true urban) environs. But youre hugely mistaken if wildlife is doing well in these areas. Mostly these species are forced to live and adapt in human habitation areas because we encroach. However as i say foxes are an example (as many canids are) of high adaptability. Fox numbers increased also due to the fact that humans killed off fox predators in the british food chain- eagles, wolves, bears, wolverines, lynx etc. so fox populations grow. We've imbalanced the trophic cascade. Over the last 50 years- britain has lost 73 million birds. That is a staggering number. A drop of almost 8% since 2018. Around half (48%) of all british bird species are in decline- this is a state of natural emergency. The fact you've seen the odd heron or kingfisher is just not relevant due to the fact that scientists and conservationists that study and track wildlife show that our wildlife is in steep decline. I agree that monocultures in farmland are the driving factor in species loss. But claiming that our sprawling concrete cities are 'bastions of nature' is laughable to anyone that has any understanding of the subject. Sadly the rise in a few scavenger species is not good news! And we need to do something drastic to defend our true wilderness areas in the national parks and wild areas that are the true bastions! Areas like the fens, the highlands, the pembrokshire coast, the cairngorms, Eryri etc etc. we also need to create green belts around our cities where the urban areas are not allowed to grow further, because where farming land has the possibility of being adapted to suit the needs of humans and some wildlife, or eventually turned back to nature altogether- the creation of urban areas makes returning it to its natural state much harder. Very few wild species can adapt effectively to a human urban sprawl, like the fox. Most birds, mammals and insects need specialised land use that our habitations destroy.

[@salkoharper2908]

​@ Trying to insult me is weak. Your not as smart as you think you are. I get it you don't like cities, your a simple small village person, who cant comprehend that a big city could be full of animals and life. Met many simple people like you before, you all terrified of London, it's quite funny actually.

[@TheDataman2]

@ im from Kingston, London 😂. Lived in the uk's largest cities. Family lives in the middle of the welsh mountains. Family members are also conservationists specialising in upland/moorland conservation and bird ringing. I also worked for the rspb and wrote articles for some years. Currently work in the media making documentaries for television about wildlife! Im not insulting you, just saying your evidence is anecdotal, doesnt rely on scientific research and that you need to do more reading. I agree with you that monoculture intensive agriculture is destroying our country but you need to rethink what you've said about cities because they're more damaging than any other human effected land for wildlife.

[@salkoharper2908]

@@TheDataman2 God you’re full of yourself. Give it a rest man.

[@theblackhand6485]

I don’t think these cats hunt sheep of calf but rather rabbits and a kind. So there is no worry here. It would become more dramatic when a wolf is released. Two of them of course.

[@josefelixaranda9002]

Those wild animals have been reintroduced in south east Spain ,the iberian linx ,with no troubles at all. But I don't know if in the United Kingdom could have another wild life sistem.

[@Progressive_Canadian]

The illegal release of lynx in Scotland is a reckless act that endangers both the animals and the ecosystem. Such actions undermine legitimate conservation efforts and can lead to ecological imbalances. In Canada, we've witnessed the havoc invasive species wreak on our environment and economy, costing billions annually. Responsible rewilding requires careful planning and community involvement, not rogue actions that jeopardize progress.

[@rjjcms1]

Invasive species that were never indigenous is another matter altogether,but these are species that used to live here and co-exist perectly well.

[@Progressive_Canadian]

@@rjjcms1 Rewilding-restoring ecosystems to their natural state-is a complex endeavor that demands expertise and meticulous planning. It's not a playground for unqualified enthusiasts to release animals on a whim. The recent unauthorized release of lynx in the Scottish Highlands is a prime example of such recklessness. This isn't a Disney movie where animals frolic freely; it's real life, and such actions can lead to ecological chaos, animal suffering, and public safety concerns. Conservation is a science, not a hobby. Leave it to the professionals who understand the intricate balance of our ecosystems. Uninformed meddling isn't just naive-it's dangerous.

[@JohnofthefamilySmith]

@@rjjcms1 There is no evidence of that.

[@jules263]

Will they stop the local neighbourhood cats doing their business in my garden? If so I’m all in with introducing Lynx’s

[@videoviewr]

Just a small correction in the transcript. What Tom meant to say was... _This is our responsibility. We know the damage can be undone, we know this could financially benefit farmer's and communities. Here are the impact assessments of the damage already caused. And, in the event they need to be controlled, we can set up the relevant authorities and offer local jobs to communities affected by these issues. So I think it really is our responsibility._ _Tom Bradshaw, President, National Farmer's Union_

[@asmallsectionoflife]

Yes! Then brown bears😅

[@fossils-z9d]

wolfs and bears should be brought back to the UK

[@asmallsectionoflife]

@fossils-z9d I agree, super cool animals

[@JohnofthefamilySmith]

People would need weapons to protect themselves just like US.

[@matthiasr2739]

Lol ... what are some storks and Voles going to do?😂

[@NaturesTemper]

Absolutely the lynx should return! The fact we haven't done so already showcases our ridiculously detached connection to wildlife. We should also bring back the wolf, which is even more impactful than lynx, since they can target larger deer species and aren't reliant on forests. Due to the lack of apex predators such as the grey wolf in the United Kingdom thanks to persecution, the deer populations now occur at unnaturally high densities. Causing Britain's forests to be eaten out of existence as the deer feed on the fresh saplings faster than trees can replace them. Leaving nothing to replace the old trees once they die. Naturally this has far reaching influences on the rest of the environment and ecosystems. Including flooding, disease spread, tick abundance, and overall lower biodiversity. The landscape of fear effect is the only way to reverse this damage and stabilise nature. This means prey species such as deer must keep on the move while feeding to avoid predators, never grazing too long in any one area, allowing plants time to recover. Unlike humans that shoot animals and leave when they're done, wolves are permanently present in the landscape, meaning only wild predators can instil this effect.

[@dylancoombes]

Yes

[@Ben-cn4hm]

I've seen a lot of comments of people saying Lynx could control deer populations in Scotland but i can't see that having any effect. Sure, a Lynx might be able to tackle a young Roe Fawn but i highly doubt it would be able to do anything to a Red or Sikka and they are the ones in massive numbers.

[@purplemonkeyelephant]

The gall of the farmers to talk about damage to nature

[@actingtechniques]

a great man!

[@joshwalker5639]

GOOD MAN I BACK HIM