A lynx that was illegally released in the Highlands has died, raising concerns about wildlife safety and illegal rewilding efforts
Inverness: So, it turns out that a lynx, which was let loose in the Highlands, has died overnight. This has got everyone talking about how it happened and who’s behind it.
Police are on the hunt for answers after four lynx were caught in the area recently. There’s chatter about “rogue rewilding” being the cause of their release.
These lynx were trapped humanely and taken to the Highland Wildlife Park. Dr. Helen Senn from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland mentioned they were heartbroken to find one of the lynx had died.
They’re not sure yet what caused its death, but a post-mortem will be done to figure it out. Dr. Senn stressed that just letting these animals go without any preparation is a bad idea.
She pointed out how stressful it must have been for the lynx to suddenly be in such a tough environment. The other two lynx were caught later, and one is now heading to Edinburgh Zoo for quarantine.
Some conservationists think a “frustrated activist” might be behind the illegal release, wanting to see lynx back in Scotland. David Field, the RZSS chief, said these animals are amazing but still wild.
He warned about rogue rewilders who ignore the proper channels and just act on impulse. It’s a real risk, and it could also just be someone abandoning pets they no longer want.
The RZSS noted that the captured lynx are used to humans, which makes this situation even trickier. Lynx are usually shy and don’t attack people, so it’s odd to see them in this predicament.
Edward Mountain, a local MSP, said the second capture suggests a planned effort to reintroduce lynx illegally. He believes the authorities need to focus on finding out who’s responsible for this wildlife crime.
Police Scotland is still investigating how the lynx ended up in the area, and they’re working with wildlife experts to look into it further.
Back in 2021, some charities even started a consultation about possibly bringing Eurasian lynx back to Scotland. But now, Peter Cairns from one of those charities has condemned this illegal release, saying it’s counter-productive to their efforts.
