COPS investigating the illegal release of two lynx have warned the public to not approach the big cats.
It comes after reports the pair of apex predators were spotted in the Drumguish area near to the village of Kingussie in the Scottish Highlands.
Specially trained staff from the Highland Wildlife Park are now assisting officers to trace the animals.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority said they were shy and a “low risk” to humans but added they should not be approached.
A spokesperson said: “We condemn the illegal release of wild animals in the strongest possible terms and we are also concerned for the welfare of the lynx that have been released.”
The authority also said people should not attend the area and appealed to anyone with information about the lynx to contact police.
The wild cats were once native to Britain, but were driven to extinction 500 to 1,000 years ago.
