Two baby Siberian Lynxes snatched from Animal Gardens in Delavan

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Two exotic animals are missing from a Walworth County Zoo and the owners are pleading for their safe return.

Tuesday morning staff at Animal Gardens in Delavan, showed up ready for a busy holiday, but when they went in the baby animal barn something was very wrong.

“They [workers] noticed that somebody had taken the lynx,” said Christine Zerbini, a trainer at Animal Gardens.

Two eight week old lynx, Mowgli, and Baloo were gone. There was no sign someone broke in, but trainers say the cage was closed and latched, indicating the animals didn't escape.

“We were all in shock,” Zerbini said. “We've never had this happen before.”

Delavan Police are investigating and reviewing surveillance video

Employees say it could be too late. The lynx, which is valuable and can be sold for thousands, require a special diet and regular feedings. 

“Every minute that they're gone is another minute that we grow more worried, more scared for their safety,” Zerbini said.

While the babies that were stolen might look like house cats, they're exotic animals with wild instincts.

“You have an animal that can harm you,” said Katie Rogers, who cares for the Lynx. “Even if you think they're friendly and even if they are playing with you, they can still do some serious damage.”

Rogers has cared for Mowgli and Baloo since their birth and says what happened is devastating.

“You get very attached to them, especially these lynxes because we were working with them every day,” Rogers said.

Animal Gardens is offering a $1000 reward for the Lynx return.

“We want them safe, we want them healthy,” Rogers said. “We wanna make sure they're ok.”Two exotic animals are missing from a Walworth County Zoo and the owners are pleading for their safe return.

Tuesday morning staff at Animal Gardens in Delavan, showed up ready for a busy holiday, but when they went in the baby animal barn something was very wrong.

 

“They [workers] noticed that somebody had taken the lynx,” saidChristine Zerbini, a trainer at Animal Gardens.

 

Two eight week old lynx, Mowgli, and Baloo were gone. There was no sign someone broke in, but trainers say the cage was closed and latched, indicating the animals didn't escape.

 

“We were all in shock,” Zerbini said. “We've never had this happen before.”

 

DelavanPolice are investigating and reviewing surveillance video

 

Employees say it could be too late. The lynx, which is valuable and can be sold for thousands, more worried require a special diet and regular feedings.

 

"Every minute that they're gone is another minute more worried, more scared for their safety,” Zerbini said.

 

While the babies that were stolen might look like house cats, they're exotic animals with wild instincts.

 

“You have an animal that can harm you,” said Katie Rogers, who cares for the Lynx. “Even if you think they're friendly and even if they are playing with you, they can still do some serious damage.”

 

Rogers has cared for Mowgli and Baloo since their birth and says what happened is devastating.

"You get very attached to them, especially these lynxes because we were working with them every day,” Rogers said.

Animal Gardens is offering a $1000 reward for the Lynx return.

 

"We want them safe, we want them healthy,” Rogers said. “We wanna make sure they're ok.”

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