UK-Born Carpathian Lynx Cub Set for Wild Release in Landmark Conservation Effort
Newquay, April 21, 2025 — In a groundbreaking moment for UK wildlife conservation, a nine-month-old Carpathian lynx born at Newquay Zoo is preparing to embark on her journey back to the wild. She is the first UK-bred lynx to participate in the Linking Lynx reintroduction programme — a major European initiative aimed at restoring lynx populations in their natural habitats.
A Journey from Cornwall to the Wild Forests of Europe
Next week, the young female lynx is set to begin a week-long quarantine before her transfer to Zoo Karlsruhe in Germany at the end of the month. There, she will undergo specialized survival training in a semi-wild environment, honing her hunting skills and learning to navigate the challenges of the wild.
If she progresses well, her release into the wild is expected to take place in autumn 2025.
International Impact from a Local Zoo
The project marks a milestone for Newquay Zoo, which is part of the Wild Planet Trust.
“This demonstrates how even smaller facilities like Newquay Zoo can make substantial contributions to international conservation initiatives,” said Dr. Kathy Baker, research officer for the Trust.
She added that every detail of the lynx’s relocation has been meticulously planned to maximize her chances of thriving in the wild.
Supporting a Species in Decline
The Carpathian lynx (Lynx lynx carpathicus) is a critically endangered subspecies of the Eurasian lynx, with populations fragmented across Central and Eastern Europe. Habitat loss, poaching, and declining prey numbers have significantly reduced their range.
Linking Lynx, a Europe-wide conservation programme, focuses on carefully bred individuals like this cub to help rebuild viable wild populations.
Her Wild Future Begins
Once in Germany, the lynx will enter a semi-natural training reserve, where she’ll learn to stalk prey and avoid humans — essential behaviors for a successful rewilding.
While her parents, Kicsi and Onyx, remain at Newquay Zoo, visitors can follow her progress via the zoo’s official social media channels, where updates, photos, and videos will be posted.