A captive Eurasian lynx which escaped a Welsh zoo has killed seven sheep whilst it was on the run, it has emerged.
The lynx, which escaped from Borth Zoo, Aberystwyth almost a week ago, killed seven sheep whist it was in the wild for several days.
The wild cat, named Lillith, also left several sheep traumatised after one single attack.
The cause of death of the seven sheep was determined by post-mortem conducted by Welsh Government Officials, which was confirmed as a single bite to the neck and subsequent internal bleeding.
It is understood that two sheep were partly eaten, while the remaining five appeared to be killed purely out of instinct, just as a domestic cat might do with prey such as mice.
Amid the ongoing application process being considered by Natural England to release Eurasian Lynx into the UK countryside, the National Sheep Association (NSA) has used this incident to alert people about the possible re-introduction.
'Simply unbelievable'
Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, said there cannot be a clearer warning of the damage lynx will do if they are released into the wild.
“At a time when Lynx UK Trust’s application to release lynx into Kielder Forest, Northumberland is under review from Natural England, it could not be more timely,” he said.
“Lynx UK Trust continue to assure us that lynx, on average, will take just 0.4 sheep annually. A fact which is simply unbelievable given the damage just one has inflicted after several days of roaming free.
“This incident also backs up what we are hearing from a number of sheep farmers in Scandinavia and other parts of Europe who tell us of high losses they’ve experienced from individual lynx that develop the behavioural characteristic of an opportunistic hunter.”
Although Lillith was definitely seen close to the dead sheep, the zoo insists she is not to blame for the deaths of the animals.
“If she had been eating sheep she would look like Garfield,” zoo owner Dean Tweedy told The Guardian. “There are dogs, foxes and badgers around here. We don’t believe Lillith is to blame. The reports are nonsense.”
'Raises questions'
The NSA has said it has received assurances from Natural England that it will work closely with Scottish Government in considering Lynx UK Trust’s application, but said it feels that this level of collaboration should go "even further".
Mr Stocker concluded: “The fact this attack has happened in Wales raises questions around the land mass similarity between that in the proposed release site of Kielder Forest and the area of Wales this incident took place.
“If the release goes ahead and the population expands in the way it is intended, the species could find its way into Wales years into the future without any consultation ever taking place there.
“For that reason, NSA believes approval should be sought from the relevant bodies England, Scotland and Wales before any decision is reached.”
