Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Lynx dies after illegal release in Scottish National Park
The cause of death is currently unconfirmed.
It was one of four lynx released earlier this month.

One of four lynx that was illegally released into Cairngorms National Park has died, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has revealed.

The charity says that this reflects the dangers of abandoning these animals into the wild, which it has condemned as ‘highly irresponsible’. The remaining three lynx are currently in quarantine at Edinburgh Zoo.

The Park Authority for Cairngorms National Park was first notified about the suspected illegal release of two lynx on 8 January. The lynx had been spotted in the Dell of Killiehuntly area of the park, with RZSS and Police Scotland assisting the Park Authority with the safe capture of the animals.

The duo, nicknamed ‘The KillieHuntly Two’, were humanely trapped overnight, before being moved to quarantine facilities at the Highland Wildlife Park.

However, on 10 January, camera traps revealed that another two lynx had been abandoned in the same area. The humane traps were baited and two more lynx were captured.

Despite early reports that they were in good health, one of the lynx later died at the Highland Wildlife Park.

A post-mortem will be performed on the deceased lynx in due course, while the other lynx goes into quarantine at Edinburgh Zoo. The zoo will further assess the health and welfare of all three lynx, before a decision is made whether they return to Highland Wildlife Park.

Helen Senn, head of conservation at RZSS, said: "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 Park Authority is calling on anyone with information on the release of these lynx to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0387 of Friday, 10 January 2025.

Image © Shutterstock

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Free CPD announced for BVNA members

News Story 1
 Zoetis is to present a CPD event for free to members of the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA).

Led by veterinary consultant Ruth Moxon, the one-hour online session is designed to help veterinary nurses discuss parasiticide options with clients. It will advise on structuring recommendations, factors for product choice and moving away from 'selling'.

'How do you recommend parasite treatments to your clients?' will be presented on Tuesday, 20 May at 7.30pm. It is free for BVNA members, with £15.00 tickets for non-members.

Veterinary nurses can email cpd@bvna.co.uk to book their place. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.