The head of an animal charity has warned against “rogue rewilding” amid speculation the phenomenon could be responsible for two pairs of lynx being illegally released in the Highlands.
Police are searching for answers after the second pair of lynx were captured near the Dell of Killiehuntly on Friday, a day after the first incident nearby.
Staff from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) were able to bait the duo into humane traps and the animals are in good health.
The latest pair were taken to the Highland Wildlife Park before going to Edinburgh Zoo for a period in quarantine.
On Saturday, The Scotsman reported that some conservationists believe a “frustrated activist” who wants to see the lynx returned to Scotland may be responsible for the release.
David Field, chief executive of RZSS, said the lynx is “wonderfully full of character” as an animal but should still be considered as a wild cat.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Sadly there are rogue rewilders out there who bypass all the established international best practice and bypass all professional organisations which are discussing lynx coming back to Scotland.
“They are impatient and then proceed in a way which is this rebellious rogue rewilding. That’s really sad and that’s a real, real risk.”
He stressed it could also simply be the abandonment of animals which someone no longer wished to look after.
The RZSS has said the captured lynx are tame and are used to humans.
Lynx, which can be roughly the size of a labrador, are usually shy and solitary creatures and attacks on humans are virtually unheard of.
Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands Edward Mountain said the second capture of lynx “would suggest a concerted approach to illegally reintroduce lynx”.
He said: “These animals cannot magically appear, and the authorities should be tackling this wildlife crime with an absolute focus of finding out who is responsible.”
Police Scotland said inquiries into how the lynx ended up in the area are continuing, and officers and wildlife experts will continue to examine the area where the animals were found.
In 2021 a group of charities launched a consultation on assessing people’s views about the potential of reintroducing Eurasian lynx to Scotland.
Earlier this week Peter Cairns, director of one of the charities involved, condemned the illegal release.
He added: “The Lynx to Scotland project is working to secure the return of lynx to the Scottish Highlands, but irresponsible and illegal releases such as this are simply counter-productive.”
