Annual Report 2018 EuroNatur Foundation

Photo: LIFE Lynx - installing camera traps
Photo: LIFE Lynx - transporting traps box
Lynx from the Carpathians strengthen Dinaric population
Geographical location in Europe
Dinaric Alps in Italy, Slovenia and Croatia (Map p. 5,
No. 22). Carpathian Mountains in Slovakia and Romania
(Map p. 5, No. 20).
Status
While the Carpathian Mountains still host a sizeable lynx
population, the Dinaric population has become so small
and now has such low genetic variability that it is at risk
of dying out sooner or later. In order to address this
problem, a total of 14 lynx are to be caught in the Romanian
and Slovakian Carpathians in order to release them into
the wild in Croatia, Slovenia, and at the border with Italy.
This “LIFE Lynx” project, which is financed by the European
Union and supported by EuroNatur, involves foresters, hunters,
scientists, veterinarians and conservationists from five
countries. The activities do not however end with the animals’
release into the wild. Many accompanying measures
are needed such as, for example, avoiding conflicts with
keepers of livestock, informing the public, lynx-friendly
transport planning, and population monitoring.
Objectives
The aim is to augment the gene pool of the Dinaric lynx
population and to bring this isolated population into
contact with other lynx populations, especially the Alpine
population. The long-term objective is to contribute to the
reconnection of isolated lynx populations in Central and
Western Europe.
Selected activities in 2018
Lynx tracks and hair samples were analyzed and camera
traps installed in both the Dinaric Alps and the Carpathian
Mountains. The results of this research allow the lynx
teams to precisely assess the situation before and after
the reintroductions and to monitor their success. This also
serves to ensure that the captures do not significantly
weaken the source population.
Prior to releasing the first lynx into the wild, the lynx teams
in Croatia and Slovenia invested a great deal of time and
energy in order to establish a sound basis for cooperation
with hunters and hunting associations. Among other
activities, hunters were trained in operating camera traps.
Their acceptance and assistance is crucial for the project’s
success.
Important achievements in 2018
A functioning network of hunters, foresters and protected
area rangers was established in the reintroduction areas. In
Croatia for example the first ever national monitoring of the
lynx population was conducted.
The project attracted a great deal of media and public
interest, both nationally and internationally.
Outlook
In 2019 the first lynx individuals are captured and rereleased
into the wild. Parallel efforts are underway to
create the best possible conditions for the animals’ survival
in the reintroduction areas. Public relations and educational
work are crucial to these efforts.
Partners: University of Zagreb, Slovenia Forest Service, Hunters
Association of Slovenia, Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for
Nature Conservation, Technical University in Zvolen, University of
Ljubljana, Progetto Lince Italia, Karlovac University, Biom, ACDB,
Italian Carabinieri special command unit for the protection
of forests, the environment, and the agri-food sector
Funding: EU LIFE, EuroNatur‘s donors and sponsors, and others
Internet: www.lifelynx.eu, www.facebook.com/LIFELynx.eu
17
Annual Report 2018
Europe’s large mammals