The English High Court has dismissed a judicial review relating to licensing proposals submitted by Lynx UK Trust CIC. The ruling concerns the application of legislation and regulatory processes in England.
Lynx UK Trust applied for a licence to release lynx in Kielder Forest in 2017 and in 2022. Natural England rejected the 2017 application and declined to assess the 2022 one. Lynx UK Trust sought a Judicial Review on a very specific point relating to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act and how Natural England approached their licence application.
Species reintroductions in Scotland are governed by devolved legislation, with licensing decisions falling under the remit of NatureScot and the Scottish Government. Any proposal to return lynx to Scotland would be considered through the relevant Scottish regulatory processes.
The Scottish Rewilding Alliance supports the responsible exploration of missing native species reintroductions, guided by sound science, IUCN guidelines and meaningful engagement with communities, land managers and other stakeholders.
The potential return of lynx to Scotland remains a separate question, to be considered on its own merits and within Scotland’s own regulatory framework.