New enclosure to support lynx breeding plans

Flossie and Torridon, Wildwood's two lynx, are currently being housed at Dartmoor Zoo

A new lynx enclosure will be "a major step forward" in a Kent wildlife charity's ambitions to see the species returned to the British countryside, a spokesperson has said.

Wildwood Trust has begun construction on a new enclosure at its wildlife park near Canterbury which it said will offer an immersive visitor experience and support future breeding programmes.

Mark Habben, head of zoo operations, said: "Our ambition is to breed lynx in the future so this facility will be able to accommodate that, but as much as anything, this is about creating a really exciting habitat and showcasing the species to the public."

He said the trust believed lynx should be back in the British countryside.

The new enclosure will include a high-level walkway for viewing the lynx

"Lynx form an exciting part of our ecosystems and our future, and we hope this new enclosure can help dispel misleading assumptions about this native species," he added.

The trust said four lynx that were illegally released in the Cairngorms in January had reignited public debate about the species' return.

The wild cats were once native to Britain but were driven to extinction 500 to 1,000 years ago through habitat loss and hunting.

They are listed on the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, so lynx keeping is licensed by local authorities and the animals cannot be released unless into a secure enclosure.

The new enclosure will have a raised walkway, set to open later in the year, for viewing the lynx from multiple angles.

It will be the new home for the park's lynx Flossie and Torridon, currently being housed at Dartmoor Zoo while the build is underway.

Sally Holt, head of carnivores and small mammals at Wildwood, said: "We are very grateful to Dartmoor Zoo for providing a temporary home for our lynx while we construct their significantly larger and more complex habitat.

"This new facility will feature mature trees for climbing and exploration, as well as expansive platforms and diverse branching for roaming."

The first phase of the project, including the main paddock and indoor areas, is due to be complete for the summer when the lynx will return to Kent.