The latest lynx, believed to be larger than the other two cats, were spotted at about 07:10 on Friday.

Experts from Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), along with police and Cairngorms National Park rangers, are trying to capture the wild cats.

RZSS chief executive David Field said: “Two more lynx have been sighted in the same Cairngorms location where we successfully captured a pair yesterday.

“Further traps are being baited in the area and the hope is that these animals will be safely and humanely captured before being taken to Edinburgh Zoo to join the two captured yesterday in quarantine.”

Police Scotland and Cairngorm National Park Authority Rangers are also in attendance. The public are being asked to steer clear of the area as a build-up of people could disturb the animals and hamper efforts on the ground.

A Cairngorms Mountain Rescue Team drone is being used in the search.

RZSS condemns the illegal release of wild animals in the strongest possible terms.

The two animals trapped earlier this week have been taken into the care of the RZSS. They are now at Edinburgh Zoo.

They have been confirmed as Eurasian lynx but their sex has still to be confirmed.

The RZSS has condemned the illegal release of the animals as “highly irresponsible”.

Experts from the charity worked with police to humanely trap the first two cats, which are now being cared for in quarantine facilities at Highland Wildlife Park before being transferred to Edinburgh Zoo.