A LYNX which was captured after being illegally released in the Highlands has died.

The animal was part of the second pair to be spotted in the Highlands overnight on Thursday and later captured on Friday near the the Dell of Killiehuntly.

The first pair was spotted on Wednesday and recaptured on Thursday.

Initial reports had suggested the two wild cats captured on Friday were in good health, but it has now been announced that one of the lynx has died.

The lynx’s cause of death is not yet known. A post-mortem will be carried out.

A spokesman for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) said: “We can confirm one of them has died overnight.

“We will go through a post-mortem but we won’t have the results for a few days.”

It is understood the other lynx will be taken to Edinburgh Zoo and join the two other lynx.

All three will be quarantined for 30 days.

https://www.thenational.scot/news/24849988.lynx-illegally-released-scottish-highlands-dies/