PREVIEW

Lynx from war-torn Ukraine arrives at new UK home after perilous journey across Europe. A young female Eurasian lynx rescued from war-torn Ukraine has arrived safely in the UK following a complex and dangerous journey. The Big Cat Sanctuary said Ursa reached Britain over the weekend and has now taken her first steps into a temporary outdoor enclosure at the charity’s site in Kent. Under the supervision of experienced keepers, the three-year-old lynx was allowed outside for the first time after spending much of her life confined to a small converted horse stable. The sanctuary said she was settling in well after a long journey across Europe, arriving on 13 February. The rescue operation, led by the sanctuary’s managing director Cam Whitnall alongside specialists from Crossborder Animal Services, involved more than one species. Initial veterinary examinations revealed the true extent of her suffering. Ursa was battling a severe intestinal infection and heavy parasite burdens. Critically, due to poor nutrition and incorrect feeding during her vital growth months, she remains significantly smaller than a lynx of her age should be. Cam Whitnall said: “To see Ursa take her first steps here in Kent is 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.” Until the new centre is completed, Ursa will live in a specialised temporary enclosure alongside another rescued Eurasian lynx, Rhys.