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A Lynx’s favoured prey

<strong>Q) If lynx were introduced to the Scottish Highlands what would their likely prey be and would they kill sheep? D. BARKER By email</strong>

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A) Roe deer are the favourite prey of the European lynx and the densest populations of these cats are found where there are strong numbers of roe.

Some lynx populations depend largely on mountain hares, whereas the reintroduced animals in southern France specialise in killing the introduced white-tailed deer. Lynx will also take domestic livestock, especially sheep and this habit has made them unpopular with farmers in the areas where they have been reintroduced. They compete with wolves, which will kill them if the opportunity arises.