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Claims that second lynx has died at zoo where animal escaped Claims that second lynx has died at zoo where animal escaped
(35 minutes later)
A seaside zoo reeling after the loss of Lillith the lynx, shot dead after leaping out of her enclosure, is facing criticism after claims emerged that a second lynx has died.A seaside zoo reeling after the loss of Lillith the lynx, shot dead after leaping out of her enclosure, is facing criticism after claims emerged that a second lynx has died.
The owners and staff of Borth Wild Animal Kingdom have been devastated by the killing of Lillith, a young female shot dead on the orders of the local authority on Friday amid fears she was prowling too close to homes.The owners and staff of Borth Wild Animal Kingdom have been devastated by the killing of Lillith, a young female shot dead on the orders of the local authority on Friday amid fears she was prowling too close to homes.
On Monday, the Lynx UK Trust claimed it had found out that a second animal died last week while being moved within the west Wales zoo by keepers.On Monday, the Lynx UK Trust claimed it had found out that a second animal died last week while being moved within the west Wales zoo by keepers.
SECOND LYNX KILLED AT @BorthZoo, full story and links at https://t.co/HRHP3J86oe, PLEASE RT and #CloseBorthZoo@Change petition at https://t.co/1sxm60836Y#animalrights #anticaptivity #animalwelfare #lynx #Lilliththelynx #BorthZoo pic.twitter.com/zZQa9m3aRmSECOND LYNX KILLED AT @BorthZoo, full story and links at https://t.co/HRHP3J86oe, PLEASE RT and #CloseBorthZoo@Change petition at https://t.co/1sxm60836Y#animalrights #anticaptivity #animalwelfare #lynx #Lilliththelynx #BorthZoo pic.twitter.com/zZQa9m3aRm
The zoo was not available for comment on Monday. The council confirmed it was aware of the second death.The zoo was not available for comment on Monday. The council confirmed it was aware of the second death.
The trust, which campaigns for the re-introduction of lynx into the wild in the UK, criticised the zoo, asking what would have happened if its two lions or crocodiles had escaped. It offered to re-home the zoo’s surviving lynx and launched a petition calling for the zoo to be shut down. The trust, which campaigns for the reintroduction of lynxes into the wild in the UK, criticised the zoo, asking what would have happened if its two lions or crocodiles had escaped. It offered to rehome the zoo’s surviving lynxes and launched a petition calling for the zoo to be shut down.
Zoo officials had spent more than two weeks trying to recapture Lillith after she leapt from her enclosure last month.Zoo officials had spent more than two weeks trying to recapture Lillith after she leapt from her enclosure last month.
What seemed a jolly tale turned sour at the start of last week when farmers’ leaders claimed she had killed seven sheep in a field near the zoo.What seemed a jolly tale turned sour at the start of last week when farmers’ leaders claimed she had killed seven sheep in a field near the zoo.
On Friday, Ceredigion county council ordered that Lillith be shot dead.On Friday, Ceredigion county council ordered that Lillith be shot dead.
The council explained on Sunday: “It was not possible to assess the condition or temperament of the lynx but there were concerns about its likely behavioural response if it was startled or inadvertently confronted by a member of the public, especially by a young child.The council explained on Sunday: “It was not possible to assess the condition or temperament of the lynx but there were concerns about its likely behavioural response if it was startled or inadvertently confronted by a member of the public, especially by a young child.
“It must be remembered that the lynx is classified in legislation as ‘dangerous and wild’ and the authorities were dealing with an unmanaged escape situation.”“It must be remembered that the lynx is classified in legislation as ‘dangerous and wild’ and the authorities were dealing with an unmanaged escape situation.”
The council also said it had launched an investigation into Lillith’s escape “to establish whether there have been any breaches of the operating licence and other related matters”.The council also said it had launched an investigation into Lillith’s escape “to establish whether there have been any breaches of the operating licence and other related matters”.
Dean Tweedy, co-owner of the zoo, said it was devastated. He said last week there was a chance to capture Lillith alive when she was found asleep under a caravan.Dean Tweedy, co-owner of the zoo, said it was devastated. He said last week there was a chance to capture Lillith alive when she was found asleep under a caravan.
Tweedy said: “When we got there the caravan was boarded in on three sides with decking and all we had to do was sling a net across the back and we would have had her trapped. Unfortunately, one of the officials insisted that he needed to photograph her and make a positive ID before we were allowed close. He slipped and fell going up the bank which startled her causing her to run past him and off across the fields.” Tweedy said: “When we got there the caravan was boarded in on three sides with decking and all we had to do was sling a net across the back and we would have had her trapped. Unfortunately, one of the officials insisted that he needed to photograph her and make a positive ID before we were allowed close. He slipped and fell going up the bank which startled her, causing her to run past him and off across the fields.”
Tweedy said the zoo would remain closed until further notice. He added: “When we took over this business just six months ago we knew it was in a terrible state. It had been neglected and run down for quite a while with many of the enclosures rotting and not fit for purpose.Tweedy said the zoo would remain closed until further notice. He added: “When we took over this business just six months ago we knew it was in a terrible state. It had been neglected and run down for quite a while with many of the enclosures rotting and not fit for purpose.
“It’s quite an unusual place as it takes in many animals that would not be accepted elsewhere. Many of the animals are rescued from the animal trade or are exotic pets that the owner cannot look after any more.“It’s quite an unusual place as it takes in many animals that would not be accepted elsewhere. Many of the animals are rescued from the animal trade or are exotic pets that the owner cannot look after any more.
“It is our intention to reopen after inspection and carry on the work here to give these animals the decent home that they so richly deserve with new enclosures and better amenities.”“It is our intention to reopen after inspection and carry on the work here to give these animals the decent home that they so richly deserve with new enclosures and better amenities.”
The Lynx UK Trust criticised both the zoo and the council. It said the second cat had died after being moved.The Lynx UK Trust criticised both the zoo and the council. It said the second cat had died after being moved.
“I’ve visited Borth zoo and had the entire sequence of events explained to me,” said the chief scientific adviser to the trust, Dr Paul O’Donoghue. “The levels of incompetence and ineptitude are mind-blowing.“I’ve visited Borth zoo and had the entire sequence of events explained to me,” said the chief scientific adviser to the trust, Dr Paul O’Donoghue. “The levels of incompetence and ineptitude are mind-blowing.
“What if it had been Borth’s crocodile that escaped? Or their two lions? UK hobby zoos are a disaster waiting to happen, if they aren’t closed down I am in no doubt that eventually someone will be killed by an escaped and unpredictable captive-bred animal.”“What if it had been Borth’s crocodile that escaped? Or their two lions? UK hobby zoos are a disaster waiting to happen, if they aren’t closed down I am in no doubt that eventually someone will be killed by an escaped and unpredictable captive-bred animal.”
The Lynx UK Trust said it could provide secure individual enclosures for all of Borth’s surviving lynx at a recently established 30-acre wildlife rescue centre in Wales, staffed by experts in wild felines.The Lynx UK Trust said it could provide secure individual enclosures for all of Borth’s surviving lynx at a recently established 30-acre wildlife rescue centre in Wales, staffed by experts in wild felines.