Please do not illegally release Lynx in Scotland

January 10, 2025 6:38 AM

Scotland has a proper, properly managed program to re-introduce Lynx to Scotland to help control overpopulation of deer, which can cause loss of trees, erosion and possible landslides. That's great! Unfortunately, an irresponsible person illegally released some Lynx into Scotland without the proper quarantine etc checks, which could have caused the death of two Lynx, or introduced new diseases. Fortunately, the Lynx have now been recaptured.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries (11 comments total)

It said the pair appeared to be in good health and had been named "The Killiehuntly Two".

"Killiehuntly" sounds like a pretty good name for any predator. (And TIL that the plural of lynx is lynx, although, if it had been put up for a vote, I would have gone with "lynxen.")
posted by Halloween Jack at 7:02 AM on January 10

Fortunately, the Lynx have now been recaptured.

Two more lynx, thought to be from the same family group, have also been sighted.

Rather begs the question who is out there breeding lynx just to dump them in the woods.
posted by fight or flight at 7:08 AM on January 10

I named one of the feral cats on my YouTube channel “Mr Lynx” and will regularly get a disappointed comment, “that’s not a real Lynx!”
posted by funkaspuck at 7:21 AM on January 10

grabbing a wild lynx, now there's a job i wouldn't want. you ever tried to give a domesticated cat a pill?
posted by graywyvern at 7:37 AM on January 10

forbidden floof
posted by automatronic at 8:06 AM on January 10 [3 favorites]

Sounds from the end of that Guardian piece like there might be a cottage industry of amateur rewilders working in the Scottish Highlands.
posted by Aardvark Cheeselog at 8:06 AM on January 10

"amateur rewilders working in the Scottish Highlands." Directed by Bill Forsyth. I can't remember the title though. Anyone?
posted by aesop at 8:16 AM on January 10

Lynx and bobcats are members of the same genus and if lynx are anything like bobcat's behaviourally then I would hate to have release of of them in the wild! Because here's Mister Murderbritches.
posted by cstross at 8:45 AM on January 10 [4 favorites]

So I guess none of them are missing lynx?
(sorry not sorry)
posted by The Ardship of Cambry at 9:03 AM on January 10 [3 favorites]

Honest question: why was the first letter of "lynx" capitalized in the OPP? UK/original English? Australian? I know that nouns get title caps in German, but I don't think I've seen it in English before.
posted by intermod at 9:23 AM on January 10

Capitalization of the species name, lost its italics somewhere in the header styling?
posted by clew at 9:42 AM on January 10