Police have taken to helicopters in a hunt for a lynx which has escaped from a wildlife park in Wales.
The young female Eurasian lynx, which is about twice the size of a domestic cat, is missing from Borth Wild Animal Kingdom in Ceredigion. Its owners said the creature, which is called Lillith, did not pose a danger to humans but urged members of the public to avoid getting too close.
On Sunday evening, police helicopters located the cat near the park and an attempt to pinpoint her position and recapture her will be made on Monday.
A post on the park’s Facebook page said: “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.
“There have never been any recorded attacks of a lynx on a human, but they are a wild animal with sharp teeth and claws and will attack if cornered or trapped.”
Dyfed-Powys police was only told on Sunday that Lillith had been been missing for five days.
They advised people in the area to be alert and vigilant. ”The lynx is unlikely to approach people, but may attempt to take livestock or pets as food,” police said. “It is believed that the lynx remains in fairly close proximity to the Animalarium, but it could potentially go further afield.”
The cat is described as tan and white in colour, with dark spots on her back and legs. She has a distinctive “thick, stubby tail” which is tan at the base and black at the tip.
The park said: “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. Once we learn her location and follow her trail pattern we can set up monitored traps to catch her.”
Anyone with information should contact Borth Wild Animal Kingdom on 01970 871224. The police said sightings should also be reported to them by calling 101.
