If anything the recent story of the four lynx in Scotland (see last two posts) has shown not just how stupid people have become in general when it comes to wildlife but how anti wildlife certain groups can be (or simply are).
The lynx were airlifted by helicopter ands dropped in Scotland is one theory.
Another theory is that the lynx were smuggled into the UK because "Where else could they come from?"
Then we have the "Whoever released these cats needs to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law as an example" and "This puts humans at risk of attack" and "They would devastate natural wildlife" and on and on it goes. Now we have that one of the captured lynx died to "the method used to catch it" and even "It could be rabies!"
Firstly, although "mad dog attacks" and rabies was not a rarity in the past we have not had an outbreak of rabies in the UK or anyone dying from rabies bitten by an animal in the UK since 1925/1926.
Baited traps were used to catch the lynx and those are non-lethal traps that close once an animal steps on the springer plate inside. No drugs were put into bait and no one accidentally overdose the cat with a tranquiliser dart . This all shows stupidity and a lack of knowledge on the subject that does not really surprise me.
Illegal release of the lynx has brought up assertions of illegal otter releases. The otter population is recovering in the UK as is that of the pine marten but there is no evidence of transportation and releasing of either. In many cases local otters and pine martens have been present a long time but that presence was protected by locals or naturals. The 1980s/1990s did see the release of European wild cats around the UK (which are not true breeds but hybrids) and I have a very good idea who was taking part in this. I do not believe wild cats are still being released by this group but the cats survived longer than officially released wild cats.
Transporting lynx by helicopter is such a fantasy. You cannot just fly from A to B without a flight plan or officials knowing let alone land, release four cats (or land twice releasing each pair at different locations) then return to A. Anyone heard of cages and vans? The fact that these seem to be young lynx and two at each site that stuck with each other does strongly suggest captive bred cats.
The question of age and sex will be determined by vets -as will the cause of death of the one lynx. Wild felids just like wild canids have a high mortality rate and when it comes to these four cats we have now idea how they were kept or what they were fed and I doubt a veterinarian was involved at any point which makes any health issue an undetected problem.
"Smuggle into the UK" shows such a total lack of knowledge of what actually goes on when it comes to exotics that it is laughable. "Where else would they come from?" gets the answer: the UK.
From when I set up the Exotic Animals Register in 1977 until the early 2000s I worked with UK police forces, the RSPCA and other organisations to keep an eye on reports of exotics on the loose in the UK, not just large cats but also reptiles, etc.. I would often phone a wildlife park or zoo about something quite innocent and get the response "None of our animals are missing -they are all accounted for" (on one occasion I got that after only phoning to enquire about visiting hours for a friend!).
We knew the rules and regulations of the 1976 Dangerous Wild Animals Act and we knew when keepers were flouting them. Most of all we knew that anyone selling exotics illegally would make a mistake at some point. Then came the internet and later mobile phones. And then the DWAA was messed up officially. It means that there is a roaring and illegal trade in selling exotics -a message on a Face Book page or online message board and "we can chat via a secure mobile app about what you want and cost" and that's it.
Porcupine, meerkats and a whole host of smaller mammals are regularly reported. "Kitchen sink breeding" in private/rented homes or other buildings takes p-lace and there are no veterinary checks along the way: you want a porcupine or skunk? You got the cash then someone will have the porcupine or skunk you want. That includes primates that are social animals but are not even sold as a pair.
Ridiculous to think someone is breeding lynx, panthers or puma in the UK? That was what we thought about wolves, jackals and coyotes in the UK but all the openly available historical reports, articles and more are proving otherwise. If there is no such breeding taking place then how do you explain that one exotic rescue has primates as well as a number of lynx and has just rescued more pumas in the UK? For every puma or lynx rescued that we know of there are probably 10 we have no knowledge of. We do not even know how many silver foxes are being illegally bred in the UK and sold on -we just hear about the escapes and sightings.
The concern is that so many involved in "rewilding" locations such as Scotland are so anti-rewilding and that is not an exaggeration as I have been politely arguing with some very rude people over the years that push rewilding but not lynx or wolves and the same arguments: "Not enough for them to live on"/ "They will attack people" and whether wolves, wild cats or any other animals the shooters who have to kill something all ask the same question: "When are they going to release them and where?" because, as we know, killing for jollies is even better if it is a protected animal you go after.
We will await the results of the lynx necropsy and, no, they will not "cover up what cased its death" because I will be keeping an eye on things (unless I am also part of the cover up?).
One thing the four lynx have proven is that the UK is not a fit place for wildlife or "rewilding" because if cars, snares and poisons do not kill them then "for 'fun' shooters will. The people (not just the "landed gentry") killed off our Old wildlife and that should be taken as a lesson and shouted out loud:
"You kill your native wildlife then you CANNOT have replacements!"
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