‘Do not approach’: Warning as lynx spotted roaming area in the Highlands

Members of the public have been warned not to approach two lynx that were spotted roaming in the Highlands.

Officers received reports of two lynx cat sightings in the Drumguish area near Kingussie at around 4.20pm on Wednesday.

‼️LYNX SPOTTED IN CAIRNGORMS

We have been notified about the suspected illegal release of two lynx in the Cairngorms National Park.

Although these are not our lynx, we are working closely with Police Scotland and partners to safely retrieve the animals.
— Highland Wildlife Park (@HighlandWPark) January 8, 2025

Specially trained staff from the Highland Wildlife Park are assisting police in efforts to trace the animals.

The force confirmed that the animals are not from the nearby wildlife park and added that enquiries to establish how they came to be in the area are “ongoing.”

Officers received reports of two lynx cat sightings in the Drumguish area near Kingussie. Supplied

Police asked members of the public not to approach the Lynx or go to the area where they were seen.

A lynx is a type of wildcat that lives and hunts in forests all over North America, Europe, and Asia.

There are no wild lynx living in Scotland, although there has been debate about whether they should be reintroduced.

Lynx are bigger than house cats, but they’re not massive like lions or tigers and are more similar in size to labrador dogs.

The animals survive on a range of small animals like rodents and hares.

There are four different species of lynx: Eurasian and Iberian lynxes live in Europe and Asia, and bobcats and Canadian lynx live in North America.

The Iberian lynx is generally the largest species, followed closely by the Canada lynx.

Two of their most distinctive features are the dark, pointed tufts of hair on their ears and their short, stubby tails, which are generally 10-20 centimetres.

According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare, lynx typically ignore humans but could attack in self-defence if they feel threatened.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: Around 4.20pm on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, police were advised that two lynx had been spotted in the Drumguish area near to Kingussie.

“As a precaution, and for the animals’ safety, specially trained staff from Highland Wildlife Park are assisting officers to trace them.

“The animals are not from the nearby wildlife park. Enquiries are ongoing to establish how they came to be in the area.

“Members of the public are asked not to approach the Lynx nor indeed attend the area, but instead to contact police via 101 if they are spotted. Please quote incident number 2179 of Wednesday, January 8, 2025, when calling.”