While conservationists have talked for years of reintroduction, it has taken Lynx UK Trust just three years to reach the point where, in as little as two months, lynx may be padding through UK forests once more. The project has been spearheaded by Dr Paul O’Donoghue, chief scientific adviser to the Lynx UK Trust. After 20 years in conservation, working with rhinos and pygmy hippos in Africa, among other endangered species, he says he was sick of people talking about restoring the lynx and “not having the guts to do it”. He and his team selected Kielder over four other potential release sites. He is excited as much about the ­economic regeneration of Kielder, as its ecological restoration.

Driving through central Kielder, he points towards the crumbling and closed youth hostel. “That sums up Kielder. It’s July – where is everybody? It’s screaming out for rural regeneration.” He believes the lynx, a graceful 65lb cat, the size of a “skinny labrador” has the charisma to draw people to the area. “The lynx has the power to ­inspire people who aren’t normally ­interested in conservation. They’ve also got ­charisma. People don’t talk about ­water voles but they talk about lynx in the shop and down the pub. They are the perfect predator in that they ­present zero risk to people and minimal risk to livestock.”