A lynx that was apprehended in Scotland yesterday has unfortunately passed away overnight, as confirmed by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS).
This lynx was among four that had been unlawfully introduced into Cairngorms National Park.
The animals were captured humanely in pairs, and investigations are currently underway to ascertain how they ended up there.
Helen Senn, the conservation lead at RZSS, stated: ‘Regrettably, we received news overnight that one of the lynx did not survive.
‘It was discovered deceased this morning.’
A thorough post-mortem examination will now be conducted.
The lynxes were transported to the Highland Wildlife Park before being relocated to Edinburgh Zoo.
The remaining lynxes will continue to stay in quarantine for a period of 30 days at the same Highland park.
The RZSS expressed that it was ‘moderately assured’ that there were no other lynx at large in the vicinity.
The two lynx that have been captured are presently receiving care in quarantine facilities at Highland Wildlife Park, where they will remain for 30 days before being relocated to Edinburgh Zoo.
Lynx has garnered attention from rewilding advocates who contend that they can manage deer populations, thus mitigating damage to woodlands and facilitating tree growth.
An estimated population of around 400 could sustainably exist in the Scottish Highlands currently, with this figure projected to increase as woodlands expand, according to Rewilding Britain.
However, the most recent release of lynx into the wild is considered unlawful.
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