Frustrated Activist Linked to Lynx Releases in the Highlands
Four lynxes were captured in the Highlands, raising concerns about illegal wildlife releases by activists.
Lynx, Highlands, Scotland, Wildlife, Conservation
Inverness: So, it looks like there’s some drama going on in the Highlands. Four lynxes were spotted and caught recently, and it’s got everyone buzzing. Police Scotland is on the case, trying to figure out who let these big cats loose in the Cairngorms National Park.
There’s talk that some “rogue rewilders” might be behind this. You know, folks who are super passionate about bringing back the lynx to Scotland but are going about it all wrong. The Mammal Society thinks a frustrated activist could be the one who released them, which is a bit wild, right?
They’re all for reintroducing lynxes, but they’re saying that illegal releases just mess things up. It’s like they get that people are eager to see these animals thrive again, but there’s no shortcut to making it happen. They’re warning that this kind of rogue rewilding could do more harm than good.
David Field from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland chimed in too. He’s all about the lynx but stressed that these animals are still wild. He mentioned that some people are just too impatient and skip the proper channels, which is a real bummer. He also hinted that maybe some of these lynxes were just abandoned pets, which is sad.
Anyway, the RZSS managed to catch the lynxes using humane traps, and they’re doing just fine. They’re now at the Highland Wildlife Park before heading to Edinburgh Zoo for a bit of quarantine. It’s a bit of a mystery how they ended up there in the first place, and local MSP Edward Mountain is calling for a serious investigation into this wildlife crime.
Back in 2021, some charities were already looking into the idea of bringing lynxes back to Scotland. But with these illegal releases happening, it’s just making everything more complicated. It’s a tricky situation, and everyone’s hoping for a better way to handle it.