Lynx reintroduction will be discussed in the Scottish Parliament today in a meeting organised by rewilding ­charities and sponsored by the Scottish Greens' Ariane Burgess MSP.

Potential ­reintroducing was debated on April 20 after a motion by Kenneth Gibson received cross-party support. MSPs, senior advisers and rural groups are to attend the event, hosted by Lynx to ­Scotland project partners ­Scotland: The Big Picture, Trees for Life and The ­Lifescape Project.

Dr David Hetherington will highlight how lynx successfully returned to Germany, France and Switzerland and insist they are 'shy and elusive woodland hunters which pose no danger to people'.

READ MORE: Lynx reintroduction study shunned by farming representatives

However, NFU Scotland said any proposals to reintroduce lynx were unacceptable to farmers and crofters. It said: "The past few years have seen a long line of brazen and presumptuous claims from organisations about the imminent reintroduction of predators to the UK. The only application to date, to reintroduce lynx to Kielder in the North of England, was rejected."

Last year, the first detailed social feasibility study into a trial reintroduction of lynx to Scotland found divided opinions. The Lynx to Scotland project commissioned the research in the Cairngorms National Park and Argyll. The study found opposition among rural residents and workers.

The perceived benefits included ecotourism and lynx helping to control roe deer numbers in areas where they damage woodland, but there were concerns that lynx could prey on livestock.

The wild cats were once native to Britain, but were driven to extinction 500 to 1000 years ago. A group of conservation organisations believe bringing back lynx would benefit ecotourism and help control roe deer where they damage woodland.