Keepers say a lynx illegally released into the Highlands died overnight

Animal keepers said one of the illegally released lynxes caught in the Highlands has died.

The large cat was one of a second pair captured near the Dell of Killiehuntly on Friday.

Police are looking for answers after four animals were captured in the area in recent days, with speculation that “rogue rewilding” may be responsible for their release.

The lynxes were lured into humane traps and then taken to the Highland Wildlife Park.

Dr Helen Senn, conservation manager at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), said: “Following extensive efforts to capture these animals safely and humanely, we are very saddened to discover that one of them has died overnight.

“We don’t know the circumstances of his death yet, but we will conduct an autopsy (examination) to determine what happened.

“In any case, this unfortunate event only serves to further demonstrate the folly of abandoning these amazing animals in the wild without preparation and true concern for their welfare.

“We can only imagine the stress that all four recovered lynxes must have experienced after being thrown into a completely new and extremely difficult environment to fend for themselves.”

The surviving lynx of the latest pair is currently being taken to Edinburgh Zoo to join the others for the quarantine period.

On Saturday, The Scotsman reported that some conservationists believe a “frustrated activist” who wants the lynx returned to Scotland may be responsible for the lynx’s release.

David Field, chief executive of the RZSS, said the lynx as an animal was “wonderfully full of character” but should still be considered a wild cat.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Unfortunately, there are dishonest stewards who are bypassing all agreed international best practice and any professional bodies that are discussing the return of the lynx to Scotland.

“They get impatient and then they act in a way that is defiant, savage rewilding. It’s really sad and a real risk.”

He emphasized that it may also be simply abandoning animals that someone no longer wants to take care of.

RZSS stated that the captured lynxes were tame and accustomed to people.

Lynxes, which can be about the size of a Labrador, are usually shy and solitary creatures, and attacks on humans are virtually unheard of.

Conservative Member of Parliament for the Highlands and Islands Edward Mountain said a second lynx capture “would suggest a concerted approach to the illegal reintroduction of lynx”.

He said: “These animals cannot magically appear and the authorities should tackle this wildlife crime with a sole focus on finding out who is responsible.”

Police Scotland said they were still investigating how the lynx came to be in the area, and officers and wildlife experts would continue to investigate the area where the animals were found.

In 2021, a group of charities launched a consultation to assess people’s views on the possibility of reintroducing the Eurasian lynx to Scotland.

Earlier this week, Peter Cairns, director of one of the charities involved, condemned the illegal release.

He added: “The Lynx to Scotland project aims to ensure the return of lynx to the Scottish highlands, but irresponsible and illegal releases such as this are simply counterproductive.”