Lynx thrive in new state-of-the-art enclosure
2nd Jun 2026
It was a major milestone in our mission to restore Britain’s lost species and reconnect people with native wildlife. It also created a larger, more suitable home for our two resident lynx, who are absolutely thriving in it.
Meet Flossie and Torridon
Flossie and Torridon are seven-year-old siblings - a brother and sister who were born in a zoo in France, and transferred to Wildwood once they were ready for independent living.
Flossie is the heavier and larger of the two, while Torridon is long and leggy – a more typical lynx shape. Flossie values her personal space and is often to be seen quietly nestled in the bushes or long grass, keeping a watchful eye on park visitors. Torridon on the other hand likes to wander, have a bask in the sun or snooze in the hammock.
Lynx are solitary, independent animals in the wild, and like to have their own space. This is one of the main reasons that the new enclosure has been such a success!
The huge open topped areas provide ample opportunity to explore and rest; whilst staying out of each other's eyeline. Flossie and Torridon are typical cats and can be seen stretched out in the sun, or sometimes up on a high platform, looking out for their next meal, or just being nosy!
They love catnip and go absolutely wild for the smell of goats (their keepers sometimes provide goat fur or sheep wool for them to enjoy). They also like citronella and mint. Their diet is mainly rabbit, but they’re also fed rats, quail and venison.
New enclosure prompts behavioural change
Since moving into their new facility, which was collaboratively designed with the Keepers, we have seen a dramatic reduction in negative behaviours.
One of the biggest changes seen by the keepers has been the cooperation of being asked to move between the enclosure areas in order for staff to access and clean or feed. This was previously a mammoth challenge, and involved a lot of bribery and gentle coercion, and often took a long time!
Now, with a 1200 sq2 inner enclosure and 2000 sq2 outer enclosure, and larger and smoother slides within their enclosure, Flossie and Torridon have transformed.
The habitat was designed in four sections that can be separated; a lot of thought went into making these spaces as positive and comfortable for the Lynx as possible, should the need arise for them to be moved or separated, or for basic cleaning and maintenance.
Successful training also means less invasive injections
Because the Lynx feel so confident and at ease in all areas of their new environment, it has been possible to implement new training programmes, the most recent being training for a hand injection at the fence.
This training results in a safer and less stressful experience overall, should the lynx need veterinary care.
A woodland environment to explore
In their spacious new enclosure of trees, bushes, grasses and platforms, Flossie and Torridon have a woodland environment they can explore and climb. With different substrates and levels to utilise, the enclosure is complex and interesting, which is ideal for keeping the lynx in great physical shape, and provides lots of natural enrichment.
Could the lynx one day roam wild again in Britain?
The new facility is not only a home for Flossie and Torridon, it’s about helping to move the lynx from a species we’ve lost to one we’re bringing back. It is more than feasible that lynx could once again roam our wild places. The Missing Lynx Project is currently exploring how these magnificent animals could one day return to the forests of Britain.