A LYNX born at Newquay Zoo is to be released into the wild as part of the attraction’s conservation efforts.

The nine-month-old female kitten will initially be moved to Zoo Karlsruhe in Germany, where she will undergo specialised training in hunting and survival skills.

The training is undertaken within a semi-wild environment under the auspices of Europe's Linking Lynx programme.

The Lynx’s release into the wild is due to take place in the autumn, which is dependent on her progress.

The kitten, the first UK-bred lynx to join the initiative, was among a litter of two born to parents, Kicsi and Onyx, who will remain at Newquay Zoo.

Dr Kathy Baker, research officer for the zoo's owners, the Wild Planet Trust, said: “Our female Carpathian lynx kitten has officially started her final preparations for rewilding as part of Europe’s prestigious Linking Lynx programme.

“Following last month’s announcement of her selection as the first UK-bred cat to participate in the conservation initiative, she will enter a week-long quarantine period in her regular enclosure next week, the last crucial step before her transfer to Germany at the end of the month.

“We’re so proud to be part of this incredible conservation journey, which demonstrates how even smaller facilities like Newquay Zoo can make substantial contributions to international conservation initiatives.

"We've planned every detail to give her the best chance of thriving in the wild."

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.

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.