Lynx Dies After Illegal Release of Big Cats in UK Countryside
A lynx has died after being illegally released into Scotland’s Cairngorms National Park, raising concerns about wildlife management.
Lynx, Scotland, Cairngorms National Park, Wildlife, Conservation
Scotland: A lynx that was recently captured in the Cairngorms has sadly passed away. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland confirmed the news.
This lynx was one of four big cats released illegally into the park. They were caught humanely, and now the authorities are trying to figure out how they ended up there.
Helen Senn, who heads conservation at the RZSS, shared that they found the lynx dead this morning. A full post-mortem will be done to understand what happened.
The other lynxes are currently being cared for at the Highland Wildlife Park. They’ll stay in quarantine for 30 days before moving to Edinburgh Zoo.
Fortunately, the RZSS believes there are no more lynxes roaming free in the area. The two captured ones are getting the care they need while in quarantine.
Rewilding advocates think lynxes could help control deer populations, which would benefit the woodlands. They estimate that around 400 lynxes could thrive in the Scottish Highlands if conditions improve.
However, this recent release of lynxes into the wild is considered illegal, raising questions about wildlife management and conservation efforts.