Female lynx that were let loose in Cairngorms given names

Three lynx that survived being dumped in the Highlands earlier this year have been given names at their new home at the Highland Wildlife Park.

The wild cats – named Caledonia, Cardrona and Bluebell – were spotted in the Cairngorms National Park in early January, sparking a search before they were captured south of Aviemore.

After a period in quarantine at Edinburgh Zoo, the three females were moved to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) wildlife park at Kincraig in May.

The cats have been named following a competition involving Scottish schools.

A fourth lynx, a male, was illegally released before being captured in January, but it died a short time later.

Judith Bowman, carnivore team leader at the Highland Wildlife Park, said: “It has been wonderful to care for the three girls here at the park over the past month.

“We are already seeing their playful and curious personalities flourish.”

Police were first alerted to reports of lynx on the loose in the Drumguish area of the UK’s biggest national park on 8 January.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland used cage-type traps baited with venison and quail to capture the cats. They were caught within two days.

Police Scotland has been investigating the January release.