Lynx 'deliberately abandoned' in Highlands dies after being captured in Cairngorms

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A lynx that was "deliberately abandoned" in the Highlands has died after being safely captured last night.

The wild cat sadly passed away overnight, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has confirmed.

It was one of four lynx to have been illegally released near Kingussie in recent days.

The animals - that no longer exist in the wild - were spotted by two members of the public on Wednesday, January 8.

On Friday night, it was confirmed that the animals were humanely captured in pairs in the Dell of Killiehuntly area, near the Cairngorms.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland said it was "reasonably confident" there were no other lynx on the loose.

Inquiries into how the animals came to be there are ongoing.

Following their capture, the wild cats were taken to the Highland Wildlife Park before being moved to Edinburgh Zoo, where the surviving lynx will quarantine for 30 days.

The Record has approached Royal Zoological Society of Scotland for comment.

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