A group of big cats are due to arrive at the Isle of Wight Zoo in Yaverland this month - and it will be the first time the species has been on the Island.

The Wildheart Trust, which is based there, has announced the imminent arrival of a family of Eurasian Lynx.

They will be arriving mid-lockdown and will be ready and waiting to greet their adoring public upon re-opening in December. 

The group consists of a mum and her two fully grown cubs, who will all be living together.

The animals had to be removed from another collection in the UK and will now find their forever home here on the Isle of Wight.

Marc Fox, Head of Animals, said: “We are extremely excited to be welcoming Lynx into the Wildheart family.  They are amazing animals that epitomise the stealth and grace of an apex predator. 

"Heralding from Northern climes they will be well suited to our climate and will be sure to be out playing and relaxing in the day ” 

Although the three Lynx will make Island history when they arrive, there would have been lynx roaming the British Isles many years ago, along with other large predators such as wolves and bears. 

With the expansion of human settlements and the overhunting of both the animals themselves and their prey base, such predators were soon wiped out by early medieval times.

Zoo COO Lawrence Bates, said: “It is an amazing project to be involved in, to be able to provide sanctuary for these three animals in desperate need is what the Trust is all about and to bring such an iconic predator onto the Island for the first time in history is such an amazing thing to do for our visitors, providing great opportunities for conservation education”