Lynx dies after big cats released illegally into UK countryside
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A lynx that was captured in Scotland yesterday has died overnight, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has confirmed. The lynx was one of four that had been released illegally into the Cairgorms National Park. The animals were captured humanely in pairs and inquiries are ongoing to find out how they came to be there.
![[BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE Sreen grab taken from video dated 09/01/25 issued by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) of one of the two Lynx, which were successfully captured in the Cairngorms National Park on Thursday, exploring their new home. Two Lynx were captured after they were illegally released into the Highlands. Police are now investigating a sighting of another two lynx in the Dell of Killiehuntly area near Kingussie. Issue date: Friday January 10, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story ANIMALS Lynx. Photo credit should read: Royal Zoological Society of Scotland/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235538795-06bb.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=351)
Helen Senn, head of conservation at the RZSS, said: ‘Unfortunately overnight we’ve had the news that one of the lynx didn’t make it. ‘It was found dead this morning.’. A full post mortem will now be carried out. The lynxes were taken to the Highland Wildlife Park before being moved to Edinburgh Zoo.
![[A male lynx (standing), snuggling with the female (sitting).]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235531780-a666.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
The surviving lynxes will now remain in quarantine for 30 days at the same highland park. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video. Up Next. The RZSS said it was ‘reasonably confident’ that there were no other lynx on the loose in the area.
The two lynx already captured are now being cared for in quarantine facilities at Highland Wildlife Park, where they will stay for 30 days before being transferred to Edinburgh Zoo. Lynx has become a focus for rewilding campaigners who say they can keep deer populations in check, reducing damage to woodlands and allowing trees to grow.
