Two lynx were captured in the Scottish Highlands overnight after they were on the loose following a suspected “illegal release”.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) announced on Wednesday that the cats were seen at large within its grounds in northeast Scotland.
The park authority said lynx are “shy animals and low risk to humans” but encouraged members of the public to avoid the animals if they spotted them.
On Thursday morning, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) said experts from the charity had “humanely trapped” the animals overnight after working alongside police.
The RZSS added it condemned the suspected illegal release of the animals as “highly irresponsible” and said it is unlikely the animals would have survived in the wild.
David Barclay, manager of the RZSS Saving Wildcats team, said the cats were taken to the nearby Highland Wildlife Park ahead of being transferred to Edinburgh Zoo where experts will “further assess their health and welfare”.
Speaking about how the animals were captured, he said: “We set live trail cameras near baited traps and it was a long night for our specialist keepers who were taking turns to monitor any activity.
“It was amazing to see the lynx being captured safely and humanely, which makes the lack of sleep more than worth it.”
Mr Barclay said “biosecurity laws” mean the cats now have to spend 30 days in “suitable quarantine facilities” but they may return to Highland Wildlife Park at a later date.
While the two cats were on the loose, the CNPA said it had been notified of the “suspected illegal release” of the animals and was working alongside Police Scotland to establish what had happened.
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RZSS chief executive David Field said after the animals were captured: “We condemn the illegal release of these lynx in the strongest possible terms.
“It was a highly irresponsible act and it is very unlikely they would have survived in the wild due to a lack of adequate preparation.
“Their abandonment was reckless to the animals, public, the community and nature.
“For now, we have named them ‘The KillieHuntly Two’ and thankfully they appear to be in good health.
“We are extremely grateful to all the residents, estates, farmers and conservation partners locally that provided information to us and the police.”
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Police Scotland also confirmed the animals had been “safely captured” after being located in woodland in the Drumguish area near to Kingussie in the park.
During the search, Highland Wildlife Park, which is located within the Cairngorms National Park, said the animals did not belong to them but they were helping to try and trace them.
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Wild lynx are not found in the UK, with the Woodland Trust saying they have been extinct in Britain for more than 1,000 years.
The animals tend to be slightly smaller than a Labrador dog with long legs and webbed paws which are ideal for hunting in the snow.
They are found in the forests of Asia and Europe and eat deer, birds, rabbits, hares, rodents and foxes.
