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Lynx cats in new home at Birmingham Nature Centre
Oct 30 2008 By Kat Keogh
A FAMILY of lynx cats were today settling into their new home in time for winter after a £35,000 overhaul of their enclosure. The new 1,000 square metre enclosure at Birmingham Nature Centre, which has taken three months to build, is one of the biggest of its kind in the UK.
Plans for the enclosure were nearly shelved after a lack of funding, but city bosses managed to find £33,000 to improve the enclosure and return the star attractions to their permanent home.
The family had been housed in a converted former owl enclosure at the Edgbaston-based centre since their old pen was taken down for health and safety reasons last year.
The lynxes are among 130 different species of animal living at the centre, which also plays a role in breeding programmes.
All but one of the family were born at the centre and they now include 24-year-old female, Gail, 22-year-old male Felix, eight-year-old female Narla, six-year-old female Zeta and five-year-old male Simba.
Their new pen includes a range of plants and different areas giving secluded shade and open basking areas to mimic their natural habit.
Coun Ray Hassall, cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture, said: “I am delighted at the opening of the new home.
“The nature centre is one our most special attractions and a wonderful place for families to learn about wildlife.”
Admission to the Nature Centre is £2 for adults and free for children under 16.
For more information call 0121 472 7775 or visit www.birmingham.gov.uk/nature centre
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Learn more about big cats and Big Cat Rescue at http://bigcatrescue.org
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