The Lynx Effect
By Neil Davey
Animal rights activists. You’ve gotta love ‘em.
In addition to setting free hundreds of mink over the years from fur farms - which has devastated local wildlife, but hey, at least the mink are safe, right? – they’ve set their sights on some bigger plans.
According to an article in the Daily Mail, a group of self-styled “rural guerrillas” calling themselves Wild Beasts Trust has decided that the UK needs to return to its old ecosystem. So they’re planning to release some of the species which have become extinct in the UK back into the wild.
They’re believed to have bought six lynxes from France which they’re aiming to release in parts of Northumberland and the West of Scotland. They’re also believed to be holding several wolves which they plan to release in the same locations.
“We are absolutely determined,” said Wild Beasts Trust’s Peter Clarke. Possibly confusing “determined” with “insane”.
Amazingly, Clarke was a special advisor to the Environment Secretary back in the days of Margaret Thatcher. Which might go some way to explain the Tory’s poor record on such issues.
Richard Dodd of the Countryside Alliance hit the nail on the head when he responded that “this is a ludicrous idea. Wolves are dangerous animals. What happens if they start killing children or livestock?” “If”, Mr Dodd? More like “when”.
The group are also planning to buy and release moose, elks, a couple of walruses in the Dee Estuary, bison, and some lemmings.
For the record, as well as being painfully stupid, it’s also illegal to release non-native species in the wild. The offence carries a possible £40K fine or six months in jail. So there.
Mega Star: 12th September 2006
