On March 21, 2020, researchers from Biotechnical faculty of Ljubljana successfully collared a resident male lynx. The lynx is a big one but, probably, due to efforts during the previous mating season, a little bit underweight. After the examination, we found out that we already know this lynx. It was Mihec, a lynx already collared in 2010. Back then he was a seven months old lynx from Snežnik area, weighing about 13 kg, now he is an adult lynx weighing more than 20 kg.
We were surprised to see that lynx Mihecs tongue tip was split. It is not known, whether is it an previous injury, or is it a natural state. Photo: Jaka Črtalič, LIFE Lynx
During monitoring in 2010 and 2011, Mihec dispersed first to Javorniki area but as he became an adult lynx, it seems he had to disperse and found a new territory on Velika Gora (Ribnica, Slovenia). We are pleased to see that the lynx is still alive and doing well.
We already filmed Mihec in February 2019, in the scope of lynx monitoring in Slovenia. In the video he is rubbing against the hair trap that we designed to collect lynx genetic samples. Video credit: Franc Kljun.
One week after the collaring, Mihec already made more than 30 km and is showing us his home range area extending from Ribnica to Loški Potok. This is a unique opportunity to monitor the same lynx 10 years apart and see how lifelong experience influence lynx behavior.
Lynx Mihec, captured in 2010 (left) and in 2020 (right). Photo: Miha Krofel and Franc Kljun, LIFE Lynx
Lyx Mihecs movements in the years 2010-2011 and in March 2020. Photo: Jaka Črtalič, LIFE Lynx