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"Something most be done. This is something. Therefore, this must be done." is a well-known logical fallacy. Introducing non-native species can have unexpec
by DonaldFisk 6y ago
"Something most be done. This is something. Therefore, this must be done." is a well-known logical fallacy.
Introducing non-native species can have unexpected consequences. Though lynxes do prey on deer, they also prey on birds and smaller mammals, which would put them in competition with Scottish wildcats, which are endangered. We can't be sure that introducing lynxes won't drive Scottish wildcats to extinction.
There are other solutions to the problem you mention. Deer can be shot and the venison sold in supermarkets and other outlets (restaurants, once COVID-19 is under control). This already happens, albeit on a small scale. Venison could also be exported but there's now a lot of extra paperwork which needs to be done now that we've left the EU.
- eloff 6y agoLynx are native to Scotland. They're simply being reintroduced.
- DonaldFisk 6y agoWere native. About 500 years ago. Ecosystems change. Bears and wolves were also native to Scotland once but we'd think twice about reintroducing them.
- colechristensen 6y agoIn the US several regions have reintroduced or supported nearly extinct populations of wolves.
- pvaldes 6y agoThere are alive trees in UK that are more than 500 years old. Think about it.
- peteretep 6y agoI have thought about it — on your advice — and it is entirely unclear what the actual point you’re making is
- rmah 6y agoWhy think twice? There are many many large predators in the US and we get along fine. The US outside of Alaska has thousands of wolves, 10's of thousands of mountain lions, 100's of thousands of bears, millions of crocodiles, millions of coyotes, etc... no major problems. And they're not just in the sparsely inhabited west, densely populated north-east states like NY, PA, NJ, MA, CT ,etc. have thousands of bears and coyotes (though admittedly not many wolves).
- KMag 6y agoMy dad's back yard has a view of Lake Superior. A couple of times he has seen a black bear wander through his back yard, and he occasionally sees a wolf stalking some deer in his back yard. He doesn't have a dog, but some of his neighbors sometimes have their dogs cower up to their owners during walks because they smell wolves. Supposedly some people have seen wolves stalking their dogs, but I haven't heard of dogs being killed by wolves in the area. It's mostly safe for adults, but I wouldn't let a kid run around alone in my dad's yard, mostly for fear of the rapidly flowing small river, but also due to wolves and bears.