Four lynx “illegally released” into the Scottish Highlands have been captured by park rangers in a rollercoaster two-day rescue effort.

One of four lynx thought to have been released illegally in the Scottish Highlands has died within hours after it was captured, wildlife authorities said Saturday. The medium-sized wildcats extinct in Scotland for hundreds of years were spotted in the snowy Cairngorms National Park this week,

Police are investigating a sighting of another two lynx in the Scottish Highlands. Police Scotland received reports the animals had been seen in the Dell of Killiehuntly area near Kingussie at about 7.10am on Friday.