The Isle of Wight Zoo has announced the arrival of a family of Eurasian Lynx, a species that has never been a feature of the Island previously.
The Lynx will be arriving mid-lockdown and will be ready and waiting to greet their adoring public upon re-opening in December. The group consists of a mum and her 2 fully grown cubs, who will all be living together at the Sanctuary.
Although an unlikely time to be bringing in new animals, The Wildheart Trust is committed to helping animals in desperate need of support; and when the team heard of 3 Lynx that were urgently in need of re-homing they stepped in.
Marc Fox, Head of Animals, says:
“We are extremely excited to be welcoming Lynx into the Wildheart family. They are amazing animals that epitomise the stealth and grace of an apex predator. Heralding from Northern climes they will be well suited to our climate and will be sure to be out playing and relaxing in the day ”
Although the 3 Lynx will make Island history when they arrive, there would have been Lynx roaming the British Isles many years ago, along with other large predators such as wolves and bears. Unfortunately, with the expansion of human settlements and the overhunting of both the animals themselves and their prey base, such predators were soon wiped out by early medieval times.
Lawrence Bates, COO, has said:
“It is an amazing project to be involved in, to be able to provide sanctuary for these three animals in desperate need is what the Trust is all about and to bring such an iconic predator onto the Island for the first time in history is such an amazing thing to do for our visitors, providing great opportunities for conservation education”
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The animals had to be removed from another collection in the UK and will now find their forever home here on the Isle of Wight.
Well done Isle of Wight Zoo.
I wonder if they will travel here by Wightlynx , Fast Cat or Red Feline.
Nice one! 😉
It will be a catastrophe if Wightlynx breaks down.
I’m a member of the lynx family it’s great stuff use it in the shower every day.
Nice one IOW zoo for stepping in and giving these cats a home.