Page 15 - World of Animals - Issue #33

The missing lynx

To rewild or
EURASIAN LYNX
Lynx lynx not to rewild?
Class Mammalia
There are a number of species that have been
considered for rewilding programmes

Territory Europe, Asia
Diet Roe deer, rodents, hares,
rabbits
Lifespan Up to 17 years
Adult weight 8-38kg (18-84lb)
Conservation status

LEAST CONCERN

Beaver
The beaver disappeared in the mid- to late-18th century due
to extensive hunting. A population has been successfully

reintroduced to Scotland and unoffi cial populations are
thriving elsewhere throughout the UK. Beavers help slow

the flow of rivers by building dams, which in turn helps to
reduce flood risk.

Boar
Another victim of hunting, the boar was last recorded
in Britain in 1260. Wild boar disturb the ground soil of
woodlands by digging and wallowing. This lets tree
seedlings penetrate through the top layer, which would

otherwise be too tough. There are unoffi cial populations in
England and Scotland.

Pine marten
Pine martens are found in the Scottish Highlands but very
few are found in England. The idea to introduce the small
mammals to England has been gaining popularity a†er

observations in Ireland showed they control invasive grey
squirrel populations, which would allow the red squirrels to
recolonise their former territory.

Wolf
It is estimated that the wolf vanished from Britain during the
1700s due to hunting for fur and persecution by farmers. In
Yellowstone National Park wolves were reintroduced and

there were many cascading benefits on the ecosystem;
they controlled the elk population and allowed new trees to
grow, increasing songbird and beaver populations.
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