Second pair of lynx released in the Highlands have been safely captured

Two more lynx which appear to have been deliberately abandoned in the Cairngorms, have been safely captured.

They were the second pair to be spotted in the Highlands this week, after another two were found on Thursday.

Experts who helped with the search for the animals say they appear to be in good health.

"Rollercoaster 48 hours"

The latest pair of lynx were spotted on camera overnight last night, just hours after another two were also spotted near Kingussie.

A series of humane traps were set up in an area near to the Dell of Killiehuntly, where the first pair were caught, to entice them.

Police Scotland, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) staff and Rangers from the Cairngorms National Park Authority have been monitoring the area throughout the day.

At around 6.30pm tonight, the second pair were captured.

They will now be brought to the nearby Highland Wildlife Park to be checked over by RZSS veterinarians, before being moved to quarantine facilities in Edinburgh Zoo.

RZSS Head of Conservation, Dr Helen Senn says it has been a "rollercoaster 48 hours."

She 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.

"The lynx will now be moved to Highland Wildlife Park before being moved to Edinburgh Zoo to quarantine for 30 days.

“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.”

Police Scotland say enquiries are ongoing.

A spokesperson said: "The two lynx seen in the Dell of Killiehuntly area near Kingussie around 7.10am on Friday, 10 January, 2025 have been safely captured.

"The animals are now in the care of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.

"Enquiries are continuing to establish the full circumstances of how they came to be in the area, as well as the additional pair of lynx which were captured on Thursday, 9 January, 2025.

"We would continue to ask people not to travel to the area, particularly in the current weather conditions.

"Further enquiries will remain ongoing in the woods, involving officers and specialist animal experts."

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