A new opinion poll has revealed a surge in public support for the reintroduction of lynx to Scotland, raising concerns that First Minister John Swinney’s outright rejection of the proposal is misaligned with public sentiment. The poll, conducted by Survation for the Lynx to Scotland Partnership in January, shows that 61% of Scots now support the return of lynx, an increase of nine percentage points since 2020. Opposition to the idea has fallen to just 13%, highlighting shifting perceptions and a growing recognition of the species’ ecological benefits. The findings coincide with an open letter, signed by 20 organisations, that…