Max came to Ireland as a cub with a circus. They sold him on to a father who brought him for his nine year old daughter as a 'pet'! When Max began to grow rapidly and consume more and more food, he was sold on again. Until a year old he was kept in a box measuring 4ft long by 3ft high, by 2ft wide.

He was brought to the sanctuary in poor condition, and required veterinary treatment until he was 18 months old. Early on attempts were made to re-house him with both Dublin and Belfast Zoo's, but both declined to take him. He is now settled at the Sanctuary, and enjoys the company of people. It is likely that he will remain there for the rest of his life.

Once also found in the Alps, this is the only member of the cat family in the Northern coniferous forests of Scandinavia. Lynxes hunt by stealth, like most cats, often keeping vigil from a low branch until they drop silently on their prey. Hares and Grouse are their main victims and fur-trappers records show that the number of Hares and Lynxes tend to fluctuate in unison. Kittens, born in summer in litters of two or three, spend their first difficult northern winter with their mother, learning to hunt, and only become independent when spring moves more easily caught food.