Lynx which escaped Mid Wales wildlife park 'has killed seven sheep'

Lillith, the Eurasian Lynx, escaped from Borth Wild Animal Kingdom last week after jumping over a fence, and an operation has been ongoing to try to capture the animal.

So far the efforts have been unsuccessful, and the National Sheep Association says the animal has been on a rampage.

The association said seven sheep were killed and others were left traumatised.

A spokesperson also said the cause of death was determined by post-mortem conducted by Welsh Government Officials, which was confirmed as a single bite to the neck and subsequent internal bleeding.

NSA understands 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.

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.

"And 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.

“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 Scandanavia and other parts of Europe who tell us of high losses they’ve experienced from individual lynx that develop the behavioral characteristic of an opportunistic hunter.”

"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."

The zoo near Aberystwyth is still shut as staff try to capture the animal.