Lynx Kitten Born in Cornwall Chosen for Wild Reintroduction Program
NEWQUAY, UK — A lynx kitten born in Cornwall has become the UK’s first zoo-bred cat selected as a potential candidate for release into the wild. The Carpathian lynx, born on May 29, 2024, at Newquay Zoo, has been chosen by Europe’s Linking Lynx rewilding conservation program.
The program aims to sustain a healthy population of reintroduced lynxes in Europe’s mountain ranges, from the Carpathian Mountains to the Alps.
John Meek, curator of plants and animals at Newquay Zoo, expressed pride in the kitten’s selection, saying, “Her selection as a potential candidate for this program validates our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of animal care and wildlife conservation.”
Before being released, the lynx will undergo a series of evaluations and will be relocated to a rewilding facility in Germany. There, she will spend time in a semi-wild environment, a transitional period that will help her develop essential survival skills.
If the kitten successfully adapts, she will be reintroduced into the wild.
Dina Gebhardt, an expert on Eurasian lynxes for the European Endangered Species Programmes (EEP), explained that the demand for lynx offspring, particularly females, has significantly increased. She emphasized, “The goal is not only to maintain a genetically diverse and healthy ex situ population but also to supply individuals for reintroduction into the wild.”
The Wild Planet Trust, which operates Newquay Zoo, highlighted the importance of such collaborations in global wildlife conservation efforts. Dr. Kathy Baker, research officer for the trust, remarked, “Every person who visits our zoos directly contributes to programs like this that help restore wildlife populations worldwide. Our mission is to help halt species decline, and this initiative is a fantastic example of the work we’re doing to achieve that goal.”