NEWQUAY Zoo’s Carpathian lynx has given birth to a litter of kittens.

Kicsi’s kittens were born at the end of May, but have only just emerged from their nest box. Under Kicsi’s watchful eye, the two are getting braver every day.  

Newquay Zoo's Lynx kittens (Picture: Dave Folland) ( )

Male lynx, Onyx, is a first-time parent, while this is Kicsi’s fifth litter. She now has offspring in collections across Europe. 

John Meek, the curator of plants and animals at Newquay Zoo, said: “Kicsi is a fantastic mother, and is taking excellent care of the kittens. We can’t wait for our visitors to meet them as they are truly adorable bundles of fluff at the moment.”

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Carpathian Lynx (lynx lynx carpathicus) are a sub-species of Eurasian lynx that are found in the Carpathian mountain regions of Europe. While they are classified as Least Concern by the IUCN (The International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species, they face several threats in the wild, including habitat loss and poaching. 

Newquay Zoo's Lynx kittens (Picture: Dave Folland)

The lynx at Newquay Zoo are part of an important EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) conservation breeding programme. The programme aims to boost the numbers of Carpathian lynx looked after by conservation focused zoos across Europe, with the potential of releasing animals into the wild in the future. 

Newquay Zoo is part of Wild Planet Trust, a conservation organisation that is helping to halt species decline. As well as being part of many breeding programmes, Wild Planet Trust also run programmes protecting species and habitats both here in the UK and abroad. Alongside Newquay Zoo, it also owns Paignton Zoo in Devon and three nature reserves in the South West.