Gamekeepers shoot sick Lynx

Game keepers in canton Valais took the rare decision to shoot a lynx which had been seen close to several villages over the past few weeks.

The wild cat was extinct in Switzerland for many years, but was re-introduced in the 1930s. They’re now strictly protected.  

The animal was recently seen in Naters – and had actually climbed onto a balcony, very unusual behaviour for an animal which is normally highly secretive. 

The Valais Department of Wildlife says, after examining the cat, it was clearly either injured or ill as it was emaciated. 

The body is now being studied at the Institute for Wildlife Medicine at the University of Bern.

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