Sheep attack fear after ‘terrified’ lynx escapes park
FARMERS fear a “terrified” missing lynx could attack their sheep flocks – as tens of thousands roam the hills close to where the animal escaped.
Lilleth, a young Eurasian Lynx, made her escape from Borth Wild Animal Kingdom, near Aberystwyth, and is being hunted by a heat-seeking helicopter and dozens of police officers.
The wild cat, which is twice the size of a domestic cat, was last seen by zoo keepers on Tuesday – but reported missing on Sunday.
Dyfed-Powys Police say the lynx could become aggressive if its cornered and are urging the public to be vigilant.
And farming chiefs fear lynx are a threat to the animals – and say the escape shows why campaigns to reintroduce or “rewild” the animals to the UK should be scrapped.
Campaign group Lynx UK Trust is leading calls to bring back the animal to the wild – and say they have previously had interest from landowners in Wales to let them roam.
But Wyn Evans, National Farmers Union Cymru Livestock Board chairman, said the escape showed lynx should be kept in “safe and secure environments.”
He said: “Reports that a lynx has escaped captivity in Ceredigion will be of concern to our farming members as the lynx can be a threat to livestock. This news highlights NFU Cymru’s opposition to plans to reintroduce the lynx to the wild in various areas of the UK. NFU Cymru firmly maintains that these animals should only be kept in safe and secure environments where they cannot risk harm to livestock. NFU Cymru is echoing calls that anyone who should spot this animal should not approach it and should instead report the sighting to the police.”
The last of the British lynx in the wild disappeared around the year 700.
Campaign group Lynx UK Trust is leading calls for the Eurasian lynx, originally native to the British Isles, to be reintroduced to the wild. The trust says the animals present no threat to humans and it is rare for them to target agricultural animals.
Dr Paul O’Donoghue, the trust’s chief scientific advisor, said: “I feel very sorry for this lynx. It must be terrified. The lynx is called the ghost cat because people don’t know it’s there – it is very elusive.
“This cat will be different because it is a zoo-raised cat. This has been fed on dead chicken and rabbit and will be not used to hunting for itself.
“You have more chance of winning the EuroMillions than being attacked by a wild lynx – in fact you have more chance of winning it two weeks in a row.”
Dr O’Donoghue said the group had previously received interest in landowners in mid-Wales to allow lynx to roam on their land and was awaiting a licence to bring lynx back to a forest in Kielder, Northumberland.
The group says its presence would return a vital function by helping control numbers of deer and a variety of agricultural pest species.
Zoo owner Tracy Tweedy, 46, says they will now be setting baited traps to catch the female lynx – which she believes is still in the nearby area.
Tracy bought the £625,000 Borth Wild Animal Kingdom with husband Dean, 48, just a year ago.
She said: “The lynx was last seen eating on Tuesday, but on Thursday people believed they saw her hiding in the bushes. We thought she might be hiding or injured but then it was clear that we couldn’t catch her. I’m pretty sure she’s still on our hill. The police helicopter believes they saw her last night.
“I’m pretty convinced I heard her up there this morning. Once we know where she is we can set traps for her.”
Tracy added: “Our hill is covered with rabbits so she won’t attack sheep because she’s not starving.”