DNA samples from four lynx that were captured after they were illegally released in Scotland could be used to help track down the culprits behind the ill-conceived scheme.
Conservationists believe ‘rogue rewilders’ could be behind the release of the animals into the countryside near the Inverness-shire village of Kingussie.
Experts believe the big cats were transported from Ireland or elsewhere in Europe by rewilding activists, often referred to as guerrilla rewilders, who have grown tired of waiting for official reintroduction schemes.
Authorities will now turn to science to identify the animals’ lineage in an effort to close the net around those responsible.
TV presenter and conservationist Chris Packham said the person or people behind it may be ‘interested in reintroduction but don’t have a clue’.
That sentiment has been backed by other wildlife experts who have lamented the subsequent death of one of the lynx on Saturday and believe the animals had been bred in captivity.
Mr Packham said DNA could play a role in discovering more about where the cats came from.
He said: ‘If these animals or any of their lineage have been kept in captivity there’s a chance we can find out more.
‘We might not be able to find the perpetrator though.’
An image caught on a wildlife camera of one of the lynx illegally released in Scotland
One of the lynx at large in the Scottish Highlands that has been captured safe and sound
Staff at the Highland Wildlife Park inspect one of the captured Lynx before it is transferred to Edinburgh Zoo
Two of the wild cats were first spotted on Wednesday afternoon around two miles from a wildlife park in the Drumguish area, near to Kingussie
The four lynx were humanely captured in pairs in the Dell of Killiehuntly area near Kingussie and taken to the nearby Highland Wildlife Park.
The first two were found 100 metres from a lay-by where a crate was discovered containing recently deceased chicks, a staple food of captive animals, and porcupine quills – indicating the cats were bred in an environment with multiple animals.
The first pair, captured last Thursday, have been moved to Edinburgh Zoo where they will quarantine for 30 days.
They will be joined by the surviving lynx, captured last Friday.
According to the Royal Zoological Society Scotland (RZSS), the lynx would have been under great stress after being abandoned in a new and ‘extremely harsh’ environment.
Conservationist Derek Gow, a long-standing advocate of reintroducing lynx in Scotland, said the illicit release was never going to be viable as the animals were too tame.
But he said authorities will find it hard to trace the big cats’ lineage because there is no DNA database of lynx held in captivity in the UK.
Meanwhile, Mr Packham added: ‘These animals need to be strictly monitored, scientifically controlled and, in the case of the lynx, it must be done in close consultation with local communities. This goes against everything we are trying to do.’
The notoriously shy animals were oddly tame, suggesting they were bred in captivity
Conservationist and TV presenter Chris Packham said the cats’ DNA could help in the probe
One of the four lynx which was captured this week
‘I’m really cross about it. It does not serve our purposes.’
All four lynx appeared tame and showed little sign of being able to survive on their own. They are all thought to be from the same litter.
Helen Senn, head of conservation at the RZSS, said a post-mortem will be carried out on the dead lynx to establish what happened.
She said: ‘This serves to demonstrate the folly of abandoning these amazing animals in the wild, with no preparation or real concern for their welfare.’
RZSS conservation manager David Barclay, who led the hunt for the big cats, said: ‘They were released on the coldest night of the year. It appears from their behaviour that these are captive animals and not in any way ready for this.
‘What happened is abhorrent and against all international good practice.’
Police Scotland said: ‘Inquiries remain ongoing in the woods, involving officers and specialist animal experts.’