The association Ajuda a Alimentar Cães has publicly appealed for the desert lynx recently seized in Funchal by the GNR to be returned to the owner from whom the wild animal was taken.
A public petition was even launched, which already has more than three thousand signatures , raising awareness for the return of the animal, which is currently caged and with the option of being transported to a zoo.
In a post on social media, the association explains that the animal, which, despite being wild, is “easy to handle”, was “acquired as a baby, before awareness about animal welfare”. It therefore admits that it was “a mistake made unconsciously, without bad intentions and without any attempt at exploitation six years ago”.
“Lynxes are not domestic animals, like dogs and cats, and cannot be bred or kept at home, according to the law. This does encourage illegal trade. This does encourage animal trafficking. And without a doubt, the owner of this animal must be punished,” he says.
However, he states that the lynx “is six years old, has a name, his name is Bores and he is a real cat”. “He is a domesticated animal and does not know how to live in any other environment. He lives on a farm in freedom and completely safe, he has been with other animals and humans since he was born, he has a diet appropriate for his species, he is looked after by veterinarians and he is healthy”, he argues.
“He was recently removed from his family and peaceful environment where he lived for six years and is in a small, closed cage, completely sad, stressed and depressed. He is in a play space, full of noise every day. He is not better than he was. He is much worse.”