Second pair of Lynx captured in Cairngorms
A second pair of lynx were captured after being spotted near Kingussie in the Cairngorms National Park.
Two other illegally released bobcats were captured in the same area Thursday.
All the animals were captured by staff from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, who set up a series of humane traps in the area to lure them.
RZSS confirmed that the latest pair of bobcats were caught near the Dell of Killiehuntly at around 18:30, where two other bobcats were also successfully captured.
The newest bobcat, believed to be larger than the other two cats, was first spotted around 07:10 on Friday.
“In good health”
Dr Helen Senn, RZSS Conservation Director, said: “I’m sure everyone in the community will be delighted and relieved to know that the second pair of lynx have been safely captured.
“Early reports are that they appear to be in good health, which is the most important thing.
“It has been a rollercoaster 48 hours with people working around the clock and under some extremely challenging conditions, but our own staff, partners and local community members worked hard to ensure the outcome was positive.”
She added that the lynx would be taken to Highland Wildlife Park before being transferred to Edinburgh Zoo for 30 days of quarantine, just like the first pair of lynxes discovered on Thursday.
She added: “While we do not believe there will be any more bobcats there, we will continue to monitor the release site under guidance from Police Scotland.”
RZSS condemns the illegal release of wild animals.
Two animals trapped earlier this week have been identified as Eurasian lynxes, but their genders have yet to be confirmed
Police Scotland said earlier that investigations showed the two releases of the bobcats were linked.
They are urging people not to travel to the area in an attempt to see the cats on the loose.
Several conservation groups have been working to reintroduce feral cats to Scotland.
Supporters of the idea include the Mammal Society, which has suggested rogue rewilders could be behind the release.
The organization said it hopes to see stable, healthy wild lynx populations flourish in the UK and that the species’ reintroduction can “correct ecosystem imbalances and restore biodiversity to our depleted landscapes”.
The association said it understood the “frustration” that could lead to illegal releases but that there were “no shortcuts” to achieving its goals.
“Illegal releases are irresponsible and not a solution to the problem,” it said.
