Two lynx captured in Scottish Highlands after suspected 'illegal release'
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Two lynx were captured in the Scottish Highlands overnight after they were on the loose following a suspected "illegal release". The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) announced on Wednesday that the cats were seen at large within its grounds in northeast Scotland.
The park authority said lynx are "shy animals and low risk to humans" but encouraged members of the public to avoid the animals if they spotted them. . On Thursday morning, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) said experts from the charity had "humanely trapped" the animals overnight after working alongside police.
The RZSS added it condemned the suspected illegal release of the animals as "highly irresponsible" and said it is unlikely the animals would have survived in the wild. David Barclay, manager of the RZSS Saving Wildcats team, said the cats were taken to the nearby Highland Wildlife Park ahead of being transferred to Edinburgh Zoo where experts will "further assess their health and welfare".
Speaking about how the animals were captured, he said: "We set live trail cameras near baited traps and it was a long night for our specialist keepers who were taking turns to monitor any activity. "It was amazing to see the lynx being captured safely and humanely, which makes the lack of sleep more than worth it.".
Mr Barclay said "biosecurity laws" mean the cats now have to spend 30 days in "suitable quarantine facilities" but they may return to Highland Wildlife Park at a later date. While the two cats were on the loose, the CNPA said it had been notified of the "suspected illegal release" of the animals and was working alongside Police Scotland to establish what had happened.
