"Rys in British nature are just like a hedgehog or a badger," says Lynx Trust, who for years has been fighting for the return of these cats to the islands. And it seems they could really do that. Rys Siddid, who was exterminated 1300 years ago in the wild in the UK, would now return to it "within a few months" . It would close the twenty-year chapter of theories, discussions and various reintroduction and repatriation studies.
However, not everyone looks enthusiastic at the planned release of several specimens in the Kiedler Forest in Northumberland. Of course, the biggest opponents are sheep breeders. And precisely because the arguments about the risks of possible sheep-related attacks may be expected, Lynx Trust people are well prepared for them. Farmers and breeders who fear beast attacks offer an unconventional model of protection. Watch llamas. They should ensure that no traits come to the grazing sheep in the Scottish Highlands.
"It's such a little inspiration from abroad that has proven itself at home," says Lynx Trust expert Paul O'Donoghue. "Lamy as watchdogs were successfully used in the United States, where they managed to reduce the attacks of coyotes and wild dogs on the herd by 66%. On some farms the attacks stopped completely. And here in Britain, right in the Highlands, lamas are working well when driving foxes from lambs. It's a fantastic news that we can probably shield two-thirds of all attacks with a lam. "
People from Lynx Trust seem to be really trying to avoid all confrontation points when dealing with local farmers. Where they could, they bought the land of the pastures in the Kiedler forest. Where it was not possible, they contributed to building a fencing. And they also promised to pay a full reward for each sheep with the feature. "If the feature kills a sheep, compensation will be paid, that's without debate," says Steve Piper, Head of Lynx Trust Communications. "Farmers may not believe us, but we really want those conditions to be favorable to them."
People from Lynx Trust have really great plans with the feature reintroduction program. They would like to build a large Visitor and Information Center at Kiedler. This would attract tourists for the opportunity to "see the corner of the eye" feature. In the first phase, six animals should be omitted and monitored using the transmitters. "We really do not count on being able to overreact over the next five years," the protectors add.
Author: Radomír Dohnal
Source: Ekolist.cz
