Ukranian lynx safely transported to cat sanctuary

A young Eurasian lynx has been rescued from Ukraine and taken to a Kent animal sanctuary.

Ursa, born in 2023, was found as a kitten being illegally kept as a private pet living in terrible conditions.

She was extracted from the country over several days by The Big Cat Sanctuary's managing director, Cam Whitnall, and a specialist rescue team. She arrived at the sanctuary near Smarden on Friday night.

Ian Jones, head of cats at the sanctuary, said: "We're really pleased with Ursa's development so far. She's taking baby steps to get used to her new environment but we are following her lead and being patient.

"Eurasian lynx were indigenous to this country over a thousand years ago so she will be used to our climate and will hopefully settle in well."

Whitnall said seeing Ursa take her first steps in Kent was an "incredibly emotional moment for the whole team".

"This mission was fraught with unpredictability, navigating a war zone with two vulnerable predators, but seeing them both safe makes every risk worthwhile," he added.

"Ursa has spent her life under the shadow of war; today, that story changes. She is finally home."

As well as Ursa, the sanctuary helped with the transport of Mir, an Amur Tiger, who was safely delivered to Belgium.

Ursa was confiscated by police in Ukraine before she was moved to the Wild Animal Rescue Center.

Initial veterinary exams revealed she had severe intestinal infections and stunted growth due to malnutrition.

The lynx was hand-raised and lacked the skills to survive alone, which experts say means she can never return to the wild.

The rescue was funded by a public appeal, which surpassed its £100,000 target after a £50,000 donation from Kent firm Premier Coatings.

The final total reached £134,152.

As a thank you for the support, the sanctuary said it will build a "species specific habitat designed to suit small cat needs".

"The space will be built from scratch and double the height of the existing enclosure to mimic their natural environment with high vantage and dense cover," a sanctuary spokesman said.

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