Zoo’s ex-owners left heartbroken by lynx deaths
The former owners of a zoo where one lynx escaped and another died have spoken of their grief following the death of their “beloved pet”.
Eurasian lynx Lillith was “humanely destroyed” last Friday following her escape from Borth Wild Animal Kingdom near Aberystwyth.
Ceridigion council said the decision to destroy the animal had been made after the lynx had strayed towards a more populated area.
A second lynx, Nilly, suffocated to death after she became twisted in a catch-pole while keepers were attempting to move her.
Borth Wild Animal Kingdom’s former owner Jean Mumbray, 78, ran the zoo for 17 years, building it up from a much smaller business.
She described Nilly as her “beloved pet lynx” who lived in her house for two years and was hand-reared by the family.
Her foster son, 26-year-old Marc Cook, said: “Nilly was a muchloved family pet. My mother and father are devastated about it, to be honest.
“Losing my pet and losing someone who was an extended member of the family who lived with us is heartbreaking.”
Nilly was acquired from Wingham Wildlife Park about nine years ago to accompany two elderly lynx who have since passed away.
The family then adopted Lillith from Banham Zoo to keep Nilly company.
Lillith later had two cubs, which are now the two surviving cats at Borth.
Mrs Mumbray said: “When the lynx escaped it should have been noticed immediately.
“We always counted them at feed times.
“The lynx were not dangerous and I would certainly go in with them if required.”
She said Lillith would probably have returned if one section of the enclosure had been opened for her with the other three lynx secured in a separate section.
She added: “The baitboxes may well have worked but cameras were positioned right by them, so when she approached the cameras frightened her off again.”
On the death of Nilly, Mrs Mumbray said she didn’t feel it was necessary to use a catch-pole to restrain the animal.
“The whole point in moving a dangerous animal is to be calm and quiet and not let the animal become frightened or agitated. That is when they become truly dangerous.
“I am sure that when Nilly realised that she was being strangled she became extremely dangerous and the zookeeper concerned panicked.”
Tracey Tweedy, who runs Borth Wild Animal Kingdom with her husband Dean, said: “It’s been overdue essential maintenance for some time.
“When we moved in there were things that were broken and damaged and we are working our way through them.
“It’s been a really hard couple of weeks.
“We are still struggling with everything that has gone on but we are just trying to get on with doing the things we can to make it better for the animals that are still here.”
Commenting on the death of Nilly, she said: “It may not have been necessary for her [to use a catch-pole] but clearly [Mrs Mumbray] wasn’t here.
“It was tragic but I’m not going to slight her. It was her cat and she is understandably upset about what happened – we all are – but it’s obvious it is a very difficult time for her.”
A spokesman for Ceridigion council said: “Due to an ongoing investigation, we are unable to provide further comment.”