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Escaped Lynx found in farmland

Two-year-old Flaviu arrived at Dartmoor Zoo from Port Lympne Wildlife Park, Kent, on Wednesday. 
Zookeepers set humane traps using meat bait

A lynx that escaped from Dartmoor Zoo is reported to be on farmland outside the boundary of the park.

According to BBC News, park staff have set 25 humane traps using meat bait to ensnare Flaviu, who escaped from his enclosure yesterday afternoon.

Keepers say that if the traps fail to work, they will make a “human cordon” with police officers to capture him.

Benjamin Mee, director of Dartmoor Zoo, told BBC News that he is confident they will find the missing lynx “as there are definately signs the traps have been explored.”

“We've been out this morning and will be out in the area checking the traps again later,” he said.

"He's probably asking himself 'why did I do this silly thing' as he will be getting very hungry. Hopefully we will catch him soon and return him back to the zoo."

Two-year-old Flaviu arrived at Dartmoor Zoo from Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, Kent, on Wednesday (7 July).

On Thursday morning, keepers discovered that he had escaped by chewing through a board in his enclosure.

The zoo was immediately evacuated and scores of police, tracker dogs, and drones have been searching for the missing animal ever since. 

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Voting opens for BEVA Council

News Story 1
 Eligible members of BEVA will be able to vote for their Council team until Monday, 17 August 2026. Members will have received an election email on 17 July.

There are five candidates standing for four available places on Council. They are:

  • Alexandre Triguino
  • Angela Jones
  • Beth Bryant
  • Holly Rees
  • Hugh Somerville
Full profiles for each candidate can be found on the BEVA website

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Government releases latest bluetongue statistics

APHA has confirmed the number of bluetongue cases that have been logged in the UK since 1 July 2026.

The total number of BTV-3 cases, as of 6 August, is 187. This includes 183 cases in England and four cases in Wales.

There have been no recorded cases in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The location of premises in Great Britain where at least one animal has tested positive by PCR for BTV-3, BTV-8 or BTV-12 is available on the bluetongue case map. All livestock keepers in Great Britain are urged to familiarise themselves with nation-specific bluetongue control policies.

Bluetongue virus is a notifiable disease. It is a legal requirement that any suspicions, even if livestock has been vaccinated, are reported immediately.