Two lynx captured after being illegally released in Scottish Highlands

Scotland just had a real-life wildlife mystery—two lynx were illegally set loose in the Highlands, only to be swiftly captured overnight. And while they’re safe and in good health, the whole situation has conservationists furious… and for good reason too!

It all started earlier last month” when sightings of the wild cats popped up in the Drumguish area near Kingussie. These normally shy animals were out in the open, even getting photographed, which immediately raised red flags—they weren’t acting like true wild lynx.

Authorities jumped into action. Working with experts from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), they set baited traps and monitored cameras all night. By morning, both lynx had been safely captured and sent to quarantine at Highland Wildlife Park before their next stop at Edinburgh Zoo.

So who set them free? No one knows for sure, but speculation is running wild. Some believe an impatient rewilding advocate took matters into their own hands, frustrated by how slow the official process of lynx reintroduction has been. Others point to evidence found near the release site—straw bedding, dead chicks, even “porcupine quills" (yes, Porcupines in Scotland…), suggesting this wasn’t a random act, but a well-planned, deliberate release.

Regardless of who did it, conservationists aren’t happy. The RZSS slammed the act as “highly irresponsible” and warned that these cats probably wouldn’t have survived in the wild. Farmers raised concerns about livestock attacks, while wildlife groups, even those in favor of reintroducing lynx, made it clear—this is NOT the way to do it. For now, the lynx—nicknamed “The KillieHuntly Two”—are safe. But the hunt for whoever released them is on.

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Florida’s manatees are actually relative newcomers, historical research suggests

Manatees and Florida go together like alligators and swamps, right? Turns out, not really. New research just dropped and it’s pretty much changed everything we thought we knew about these gentle sea cows—manatees aren’t actually native to Florida at all. They’re just visitors.

Scientists from the University of South Florida and George Washington University dug into archaeological records, historical archives, and early explorer accounts—and found almost no evidence of manatees in Florida before the late 1700s. No bones, no hunting records, not even Native American art featuring them. The reason? Florida’s waters were way too cold for them before the mid-1800s, thanks to the “Little Ice Age.” Only when things warmed up did manatees start making their way north.

But here’s the kicker—manatees didn’t really start populating Florida until the 20th century, when human activity accidentally created perfect winter getaways for them. Warm-water refuges, like power plant discharge areas, canals, and yacht basins, became their go-to spots, letting them stick around year-round instead of migrating back south.

So, what does this mean for conservation? With fossil fuel plants shutting down, manatees are losing some of their warmest winter homes. And with fewer than 9,000 left in Florida, experts are scrambling to figure out new ways to protect them. Could this research help shape future conservation strategies? Maybe. But one thing’s for sure—Florida’s most famous sea cows might not be as “local” as we all thought. What do you guys think?

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The latest bonus pod is out, and it’s a fun one! In this episode, we discuss Forrest going to work with the Cocaine hippos, a new species of tiny cat discovered, and if giants used to roam America!

In this episode, we discuss a lynx debacle in Scotland, mistaking a hedgehog for a fuzzy hat, and we get to the bottom of what sea monkeys actually are. Enjoy!