What is a Eurasian lynx?

Lynx UK Trust has chosen Kielder Forest, spanning Northumberland and the Scottish Borders, for a trial reintroduction of Eurasian lynx.

But what is a Eurasian lynx?

• The Eurasian lynx is one of the widest ranging cats in the world and can be found in the forests of western Europe, Russia and central Asia.

• They are the largest of the lynx species, and the third largest predator in Europe after the brown bear and the wolf.

• They are strict carnivores, feeding mostly on hoofed mammals such as deer. When food is scarce they also eat smaller prey like hares, foxes and rabbits.

• The Eurasian lynx can be considered quite a secretive creature. The sounds it makes are very low and often not heard, and their presence in an area can go unnoticed for years.

• The Eurasian lynx's distinctive features are its black tufts at the tips of its ears and a long white facial 'ruff'. It has grey, rusty or red fur which grows thicker in winter.

• Although they sometimes hunt during the day, the Eurasian lynx is mainly nocturnal. They spend the day sleeping in dense vegetation.

• In the wild, the Eurasian lynx can survive up to 17 years. Captive Eurasian lynx in sanctuaries have been known to live to up to 24 years.

For more information on the work conservationists are doing to reintroduce the lynx to the UK, visit the Lynx UK Trustwebsite.