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

Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Germany livestock import ban lifted

The UK government has amended its ban on the import of livestock, meat and dairy products from Germany.

Defra said the decision follows 'rigorous technical assessment' of the measures applied and the current situation. "If the situation changes, we will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity," it said.

The ban was implemented in January following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) near Berlin. Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products will remain in place at a country level.