Two Siberian lynxes snatched from a Virginia zoo

0
415
Photo Handout courtesy of the Frederick County Sheriff's Office

Two Siberian lynxes were stolen earlier this week from a zoo in Frederick County, Virginia, authorities said.

On Tuesday, the owner of Wilson’s Wild Animal Park in Winchester reported that two of the zoo’s three Siberian lynxes were taken from inside their kennel between 6 p.m. Monday and 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

The animals, worth $4,000 each, are 10 months old, according to the statement.

Zoo owner Keith Wilson said a male and a female were taken, and the female lynx left behind was quite upset.

“They grew up together, they’ve been together they’re entire life,” he said. “She’s upset that she’s not with the rest of them.”

Wilson said he acquired the lynxes a month ago, and hadn’t named them yet. He said that Wilson’s Wild Animal Park, which has about 50 species, has been open for 40 years, but only experienced its first theft three months ago, when two lemurs and a spider monkey were taken – other “high-dollar” animals, Wilson said.

Photo Handout courtesy of the Frederick County Sheriff's Office
Photo Handout courtesy of the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office

“These aren’t animals you would just pick up like a dog from the side of the road,” he said. “There’s a certain amount of knowledge needed to catch or capture them and care for them . . . I’m pretty sure it’s a professional animal person doing this.”

Hunted for their fur, lynxes are also known for their hunting abilities and can spot a mouse from 250 feet away, according to National Geographic.

(c) 2016, The Washington Post ยท Justin Wm. Moyer

Facebook Comments