Newquay Zoo’s Lynx Kitten Joins Europe’s Rewilding Revolution – A Wild Future Awaits?

A lynx kitten born at Newquay Zoo is on the brink of making history as the first UK zoo-bred lynx to be considered for release into the wild through Europe’s Linking Lynx rewilding programme.

 

A New Home in the Wild?

Born on 29th May 2024, the nine-month-old Carpathian lynx has been selected as a potential candidate for one of Europe’s most ambitious carnivore conservation efforts. Over the coming weeks, she will undergo a series of health checks and behavioural tests to determine whether she is ready to take the next step on her journey to the wild.

If she passes, she will be moved to a specialised habituation facility in Germany, where she will spend several months in a semi-wild environment. This transitional period is designed to prepare her for survival, allowing her to develop vital skills while being closely monitored by experts.

John Meek, Curator of Plants and Animals at Newquay Zoo, said:

“She’s shown remarkable development from day one. Her selection as a potential candidate for this programme validates our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of animal care and wildlife conservation. Every visitor who has supported our work has contributed to this moment.”

Strengthening Europe’s Lynx Populations

The Linking Lynx project aims to connect Carpathian lynx populations across the Carpathian Mountains, the Alps, and the Dinaric ranges. While the Carpathian lynx is currently listed as Least Concern, reintroduced populations are classified as Endangered, with habitat fragmentation and human activity posing serious threats to their long-term survival.

The project is part of the European Endangered Species Programmes (EEP), which identified the Newquay-born kitten as a suitable candidate for release. Dina Gebhardt, EEP Co-ordinator for Eurasian Lynxes, explained:

“Now that the Carpathian lynx EEP is part of several in situ projects in Europe, the demand for offspring – especially females – has risen considerably. The goal is not only to keep the ex situ population genetically diverse and healthy, but also to provide individuals to introduce into the wild. For that, we need professional, scientifically led zoos that follow the Linking Lynx protocols conscientiously.”

A Community Effort in Conservation

The project highlights how zoos play a critical role in global wildlife conservation. Dr Kathy Baker, Research Officer for Wild Planet Trust, acknowledged the support of visitors in making such conservation efforts possible:

“This not only demonstrates the vital role that forward-thinking zoos can play in wildlife conservation but also how important our visitors and local community are in supporting us. We are a charity, and every person who visits our zoos is directly contributing towards programmes like this that could help restore wildlife populations around the world.”

Newquay Zoo, part of the Wild Planet Trust, has bred several Carpathian lynx cubs over the past decade, but this marks the first time one has been selected for rewilding.

Following the Journey

With spring approaching, the zoo is carefully preparing for the kitten’s potential relocation. Keepers are already maintaining their distance from her—a bittersweet but necessary step to ensure she retains her wild instincts.

Newquay Zoo will be sharing updates on her journey, from her final training in Cornwall to her transfer to Germany and, if all goes well, her release into the wild.

For Newquay Zoo, this is more than just one lynx’s story—it’s a major step in global conservation.

Would you visit Newquay Zoo to support conservation efforts like this? Let us know in the comments!