A lynx dies after being captured in the Cairngorms

A camera trap has captured footage of a lynx on the loose in the Highlands

RZSS Lynx in the photo before capture — A camera trap has captured footage of a lynx on the loose in the Highlands

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has confirmed that a lynx captured near Kingussie in the Cairngorms National Park on Friday died overnight.

The wild cat was one of four illegally released cats caught in the same area in recent days.

The animals were humanely captured in pairs in the Dell of Killiehuntly area.

The association said it was “reasonably confident” there were no other lynx roaming the area. An investigation is underway to determine how they got there.

After being captured, the animals were taken to Highland Wildlife Park and then to Edinburgh Zoo, where the surviving lynx will be quarantined for 30 days.

Some conservation groups are campaigning to reintroduce feral cats to Scotland.

Helen Senn, conservation manager at RZSS, said: “Unfortunately overnight we received news that one of the lynxes had died.

– He was found dead this morning.

She added that a full autopsy would be performed.