Experts believe that the hunting cat had become extinct in Britain 4,000 years ago. They were hunted to extinction when farming intensified, as the nocturnal carnivores fed on deer, sheep, goats and rodents.

It's believed that the solitary animals, which can grow to about eight times the size of a domestic cat, would have no trouble adapting to the Scottish Highlands and would thrive despite the harsh winters. Lister hopes to see them returning to his park if he can cut through the red tape surrounding the controversy.