Possible lynx sighting under investigation

Police are investigating a possible lynx sighting in the south of Scotland

An investigation has been launched after reports of a possible lynx sighting in the south of Scotland.

Police said they had been made aware of the incident in woodland near Newton Stewart at about 12:00 on Wednesday 26 February.

The sighting was reported to police on Friday who said officers were working with partners to establish the full circumstances.

The force added that if there were any further sightings the public should not approach the animal and contact police on the 101 number.

NatureScot said it had also been made aware of the situation and had put out trail cameras in the area to monitor any activity.

"Nearby landowners have been informed," it added in a statement.

The incident in Galloway comes after a number of lynx were illegally released in the Cairngorms.

They were spotted in the national park on two separate occasions in early January before being captured near Kingussie south of Aviemore a few days later.

One of the lynx - a male - died after capture but three females are looking for a new home after completing 30 days quarantine at Edinburgh Zoo.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) described their release as "highly irresponsible".

Police were first alerted to that incident on 8 January and the RZSS, which runs a wildlife park nearby, used cage-type traps baited with venison and quail, a small game bird, to capture the cats.

They were all caught by 10 January.

Lynx were once a native species in Scotland, but they died out several hundred years ago.

There are suspicions the Cairngorms lynx are abandoned pets, or were let go by people who want to see the animals reinstated to wooded hills and glens.

However, First Minister John Swinney has ruled out the legal reintroduction of lynx into the wild in Scotland.

What are lynx?

There are four lynx species. Eurasian lynx are the largest.

Adults are roughly the size of a Labrador dog.

Lynx died out in Britain 500 to 1,000 years ago, but similar species are still found in continental Europe, Russia and Asia.

In the wild they prey on roe deer, young red deer and also hares and rabbits.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare says lynx are mostly active at night and typically avoid humans.

It does warn that lynx, like other wild animals, could attack in self-defence if cornered.