RZSS statement on lynx found in the Cairngorms

UPDATE (10/01/25 7:30pm): Two additional lynx who appear to have been deliberately abandoned in the Cairngorms have been safely captured this evening. 

The medium-sized cats were spotted on camera traps overnight on 9/10^th Jan. Staff from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland then baited a series of humane traps in the area to entice them with and have been working with Police Scotland and Rangers from the Cairngorms National Park Authority to monitor the area throughout the day. 

The animals were captured at around 6:30 pm, near to the Dell of Killiehuntly, where two other lynx had been successfully caught the previous day. They will now be brought to the nearby Highland Wildlife Park to be checked over by RZSS veterinarians, before being moved to quarantine facilities in Edinburgh Zoo. 

Dr Helen Senn, RZSS Head of Conservation said: “I’m sure that everyone in the community will be happy and relieved to know that the second pair of lynx have been safely captured. Early reports are that they appear to be in good health, which is the most important thing. It’s been a rollercoaster 48 hours, with people working throughout the day and night, in some extremely challenging conditions, but I’ve been so impressed by the efforts of our own staff as well as partners, and members of the local community to ensure that the outcome is a positive one. The lynx will now be moved to Highland Wildlife Park before being moved to Edinburgh Zoo to quarantine for 30 days.

“Although we don’t think that there are any more lynx out there, we will continue to monitor the release site under the direction of Police Scotland.”

Thursday 09/01/25

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has successfully captured two Lynx which were illegally released into the Highlands.

Working alongside Police Scotland, experts from the wildlife conservation charity humanely trapped the cats overnight. They are now being cared for in quarantine facilities at Highland Wildlife Park before being transferred to Edinburgh Zoo.

The charity has condemned the illegal release as “highly irresponsible” and said it is likely the lynx would have died in the wild.

David Barclay, manager of the RZSS Saving Wildcats team, 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.

“Biosecurity laws mean the cats need to spend 30 days in suitable quarantine facilities, so we will transfer them from Highland Wildlife Park to Edinburgh Zoo, where we will further assess their health and welfare.

“Long-term, they may return to Highland Wildlife Park, which is near where they were trapped, though it is too early to say for certain.”

RZSS Chief Executive David Field said, “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. The team were ably assisted by Wildland staff on the ground and close working between all parties allowed for a swift and positive resolution in this case.”  

Highland Wildlife Park is already home to two grown Northern Lynx, named Switch and Neon. The Northern Lynx is a subspecies of the Eurasian Lynx  

We are appealing for anyone with information on how they came to be in the area to contact Police Scotland.