New research indicates that young people in the UK and Ireland are largely ‘cautious’ about the feasibility of reintroducing large carnivores, such as lynx and wolves.
This study, described as the first-ever probe into youth attitudes towards reintroducing such large predators, found only a minority of participants were in favour.
Thousands of young people from Northern Ireland took part in the extensive research, which was conducted by the ARK social-policy hub at Queenâs and Ulster universities.
The findings emerged from two surveys: the Young Life and Times, interviewing over 2,000 16-year-olds, and the Kidsâ Life and Times, which polled more than 4,000 children aged 10 and 11.
It found that generally, young peopleâs support for the reintroduction of large carnivores is lower than that of adults in previous surveys carried out in Great Britain.
Those surveys recorded adult support as variously between 36% and 72%.
In the ARK survey, just under one third (32%) of 10/11-year-olds and just over one third (35%) of 16-year-olds said they agree or strongly agree with the idea of lynx reintroductions to parts of the UK and Ireland.
That figure was lower for wolf reintroductions â 30% of 10/11-year-olds and 31% of 16-year-olds.
The strongest single result, however, was to neither agree nor disagree with proposed reintroductions across both species and age groups.
Girls and young people living in rural areas are significantly less supportive of reintroduction of any large carnivores, while the âdonât knowâ responses are higher for lynx than wolves, perhaps reflecting more familiarity with the latter species.
There are more negative associations with wolves across the board, which may be due to a higher perception of risk to human and livestock populations than with lynx.
The survey comes in the wake of calls and proposals to reintroduce large predators to parts of the UK and Ireland centuries after they disappeared.
These calls spark debate, with livestock farmers tending to raise concern in relation to predators at the top of the food chain like lynx and wolves.
The issue hit the headlines again earlier this year after the illegal release of four Eurasian lynx into the Scottish Highlands.
Lead researcher Dr Jonny Hanson, from the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queenâs University, said the views of children and teenagers are an important consideration.
âThe potential reintroductions of lynx and wolves to the UK and Ireland are very socially complex and highly contested,â he said.
âThis new data from young people helps us to understand the diverse perspectives of children and teenagers on this issue and gives us a better picture of their nuanced and valid views.
âRobust and independent social-science research like this should not just be bolted on to current and future large-carnivore reintroduction proposals, but built into them.
âThe feasibility and viability of potential lynx and wolf reintroductions in the UK and Ireland will hinge on understanding and addressing their complex human dimensions with young people and adults alike.â
