Wild lynx may soon be reintroduced to the UK's fields and woods in a bid to cut the soaring number of deer which are damaging young trees and crops and causing crashes.
The plans have been put forward by the Lynx Trust UK who say although sheep may be targeted by the feline predators, compensation would be available for farmers.
It is now estimated there are two million wild deer in the UK - the bigger number for a thousand years, helped by the extinction of their natural predators like wolves.
By feeding on the undergrowth and stripping the lower branches of trees bare, the deer damage potential nesting spots for birds.