Second pair of Lynx captured in Cairngorms

A second pair of lynx have been captured after being found near Kingussie in the Cairngorms National Park.

Two other lynx, released illegally, were caught in the same area on Thursday.

Staff from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland caught all the animals by baiting a series of humane traps in the area to entice them.

The RZSS confirmed that the latest pair had been captured at about 18:30 near the Dell of Killiehuntly, where the two other lynx were also successfully caught.

The latest lynx, believed to be larger than the other two cats, were first spotted at about 07:10 on Friday.

Dr Helen Senn, head of conservation at RZSS, said: “I’m sure that everyone in the community will be happy 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’s been a rollercoaster 48 hours, with people working throughout the day and night, in some extremely challenging conditions, but I’ve been so impressed by the efforts of our own staff as well as partners, and members of the local community to ensure that the outcome is a positive one.”

She added that the lynx would be taken to the Highland Wildlife Park before being moved to Edinburgh Zoo to quarantine for 30 days – as has happened with the first pair found on Thursday.

“Although we don’t think that there are any more lynx out there, we will continue to monitor the release site under the direction of Police Scotland,” she added.

RZSS has condemned the illegal release of wild animals.

The two animals trapped earlier this week have been confirmed as Eurasian lynx but their sex has still to be confirmed

Police Scotland earlier said inquiries suggested that both releases of lynx were connected.

They had urged people not to visit the area to try and see the cats on the loose.

Some conservation groups have been campaigning to have the wild cats reintroduced to Scotland.

Those who support the idea include the Mammal Society, which has suggested rogue rewilders could be behind the releases.

The organisation said it would love to see a stable and healthy population of wild lynx thriving in the UK, and that the reintroduction of the species could “redress ecosystem imbalance and restore biodiversity to our depleted landscapes”.

The society said it understood the “frustration” which could lead to illegal releases, but that there were “no shortcuts” to achieving its goal.

“Illegal releases are irresponsible and not the answer,” it said.