A lynx which was captured on Friday evening after being illegally released in the Highlands has died.
Police had received a report of two big cats seen in the Dell of Killiehuntly area near Kingussie around 7.10am on Friday.
Following an extensive search, Highland Wildlife Park confirmed on Friday evening that the pair had been safely captured.
It added that it appeared the pair had been “deliberately abandoned” in the Cairngorms.
While initial reports suggested the two wild cats captured on Friday were in good health, it was announced on Saturday that one of the lynx had sadly died.
The lynx’s cause of death is not yet known and a post-mortem will be carried out. It is understood the other lynx will be taken to Edinburgh Zoo.
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Lynx spotted on wildlife camera hours before capture on Friday evening
Dr Helen Senn, RZSS head of conservation said: “After extensive efforts to capture these animals safely and humanely, we were very sad to discover that one of them has died overnight. We do not yet know the circumstances behind its death but will be carrying out a post-mortem to try to establish what happened.
“Whatever the case, this unfortunate development just serves to further demonstrate the folly of abandoning these amazing animals in the wild, with no preparation or real concern for their welfare. We can only imagine the stress that all four of the recovered lynx must have experienced after being thrust into an entirely new and extremely harsh environment to fend for themselves. Our team of expert keepers and veterinarians will now ensure that they get the best possible care moving forward.
“The surviving member of the pair will now be heading down to Edinburgh to quarantine alongside the two lynx who were captured on Thursday.
“I’d like to say a massive thank you to the local community who have been amazing throughout this entire episode, rallying around at short notice and supporting the team through some extremely challenging conditions.”
The surviving lynx is set to join two other lynx at Edinburgh Zoo who were captured on Thursday night after also being illegally released in the Highlands.
Police had received sightings of the two lynx in the Drumguish area near Kingussie on Wednesday and the pair were captured with the assistance of the Highland Wildlife Park.
They were transported to Edinburgh Zoo, where they will be quarantined for 30 days.
RZSS chief executive David Field said: “We condemn the illegal release of these lynx in the strongest possible terms.
“It was a highly irresponsible act, and it is very unlikely they would have survived in the wild due to a lack of adequate preparation.”
Police Scotland said enquiries to establish how the animals came to be in the area are ongoing.
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