The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has confirmed that a lynx captured in Cairngorms National Park has died overnight, BBC News reported.

The wild cat was one of four that had been released illegally and were caught near Kingussie in the Highlands in recent days.

The animals were humanely captured in pairs in the Dell of Killiehuntly area and transported to the Highland Wildlife Park. The RZSS stated that the lynx likely experienced significant stress after being abandoned in a new and “extremely harsh” environment.

The first pair of lynx, captured on Thursday following an alert issued on Friday, have been relocated to Edinburgh Zoo, where they will undergo a 30-day quarantine. They will soon be joined by the surviving lynx from the pair captured on Friday, nearly 12 hours after they were initially sighted.

While some conservation groups are advocating for the reintroduction of such wild cats in Scotland, farming communities have expressed concerns regarding the potential risks to livestock.

RZSS head Helen Senn said that one of the recently captured lynx has died overnight, with the body discovered this morning. The cause of death was currently undetermined and a full post-mortem examination would be conducted, although results may take several days.

Senn emphasised the serious consequences of abandoning such wild cats, stating, “This unfortunate event highlights the folly of releasing these remarkable animals into the wild without proper preparation or concern for their well-being.” She noted the stress the four recovered lynx likely faced after being forced to adapt to an entirely new and harsh environment.

The RZSS team, comprising expert keepers and veterinarians, would ensure the remaining lynx receive the best possible care moving forward. The RZSS also pointed out that temperatures in the area have dropped as low as -14°C while the average low for northern Scotland at this time of year is approximately 0.3°C.