Credit RZSS: A Lynx captured earlier

A second pair of Lynx wildcats have been spotted roaming in the Scottish Highlands.

The animals were seen in the Dell of Killiehuntly area near Kingussie.

Police Scotland believes the two Lynx are connected to another pair captured in the same area earlier in the week.

David Field, the chief executive of the Royal Zoological Society Scotland (RZSS), said:

“Two more lynx have been sighted in the same area where we successfully captured another pair.

“Further traps are being baited in the area.

“It’s hoped these animals will be safely and humanely captured before being taken to Edinburgh Zoo to join the two captured yesterday in quarantine.

“Police Scotland and Cairngorm National Park Authority rangers are also in attendance.

“The public are being asked to steer clear of the area as a build-up of people could disturb the animals and hamper efforts on the ground.

“RZSS condemns the illegal release of wild animals in the strongest possible terms.

“We urge anyone with information on the release of these lynx to contact Police Scotland.”

The suspected “illegal release” of the animals into the wild has been condemned by wildlife groups.

Speaking after the capture of the two wildcats on Thursday, Mr Field said:

“It was a highly irresponsible act and it is very unlikely they would have survived in the wild due to a lack of adequate preparation.

“Their abandonment was reckless to the animals, public, the community and nature.”

Credit RZSS: A Lynx captured earlier

Lynx to Scotland, a project working to return the species to the Highlands, also condemned the illegal release.

Peter Cairns, the founder and executive director of SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, said:

“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.”