Wild Lynx on the Loose After Escaping From Animal Park in Wales

By Jane Gray
October 30, 2017 Last Updated: October 30, 2017
Lilleth the wild cat is missing from an animal park in Wales. (Borth Wild Animal Kingdom)

A young Eurasian lynx has escaped from an animal park in Wales.

Borth Wild Animal Kingdom near Aberystwyth have advised the public not to approach the large cat, called Lillith.

“Do not be alarmed, but please be alert,” the animal park, that is a popular tourist spot, wrote in a Facebook post.

While the animal is unlikely to pose any danger to humans, the zoo warned that the cat has sharp teeth and claws and could attack “if cornered or trapped.”

“If you spot her, please do not approach her. Phone the police or contact the zoo straight away. We have fully trained keepers on hand to deal with the situation,” warned the Borth Wild Animal Kingdom in a Facebook post.

It added, “Lynx can travel about 12 miles a day, but the chances are she hasn’t gone far. We will be putting out camera traps around the perimeter of the zoo and relying on sightings by the public.”

Police helicopters spotted the large female cat near the park on Sunday evening, and further attempts to locate her will be made today, Monday Oct. 30.

Dyfed-Powys Police have advised the public to not approach the wild animal, per ITV News.

A police spokeswoman told the Sun, “We are advising public in the area to be alert and vigilant. The animal should not be approached as it could become aggressive if cornered.”

“The lynx is unlikely to approach people, but may attempt to take livestock or pets as food.”

The spokeswoman added, “It is a mystery how she escaped—we can’t find any holes in the cage or overhanging branches she could climb.”

The wild Eurasian lynx, Lilleth, when she was a kitten. (Borth Wild Animal Kingdom)

The lynx is described as having a distinctive “stubby tail” that is around 6 inches (15 cm) long that is tan at the base and black at the tip.

She is around twice as big as a domestic cat, and is tan and white in colour, with dark spots on her back and legs, and black tufts on her ears.

Last year, a lynx went missing for three weeks from Dartmoor Zoo according to the Independent. Flaviu, a male Carpathian lynx fled the zoo the day after he arrived, by chewing through a board in the wall.

Anyone with information about the missing cat should contact Borth Wild Animal Kingdom on 01970 871224.