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Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx)

Lynx in Craven, North Yorkshire.

Until recently, scientists believed that Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) became extinct in the UK over 4,000 years ago when the climate became cool and wet. But new radiocarbon data on lynx bones found in two caves in the Craven area of North Yorkshire show that lynx were still present in the early medieval era, just 1500 years ago. In addition, analysis of a piece of ancient British poetry indicates that lynx were present in the Lake District in the 7th century AD. [1]

Tom was one of the writers of a scientific article about the possible reintroduction of the northern lynx to the North Yorkshire moors (see note 1 below) and the paper was also discussed in an August 11 2007 article in the New Scientist.

Notes:

1. Hetherington, D. et. al: New evidence for the occurrence of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in medieval Britain, Journal of Quaternary Science. 2005. DOI: 10.1002/jqs.960.