Activities

Live-capture and Translocation of Lynx From the Carpathian Population in Romania for Reinforcement of the Dinaric-SE Alpine Population The goal of this action is to capture at least seven lynx from three selected areas in the Romanian Carpathian Mountains and translocate them to Slovenia and Croatia. Implementation of this activity will start at the very beginning of the project in 2017. The first task will be to purchase or...

Genetic Reinforcement of the Dinaric Lynx Population This action will improve the genetic outlook of the Dinaric lynx population and effectively save it from extinction. We will reinforce the Dinaric population by integrating 9 lynx into this region. We will consider integration of individual lynx as successful if the released animals survive at least one year after the release, establish a territory and find a mate. If a released...

Establishment of a Population “Stepping Stone” in the SE Alpine Area The goal of this action is to create an effective population “stepping stone” between the Dinaric and Alpine lynx sub-populations by releasing five lynx into this intermediate unoccupied habitat at the junction of SE Alps and the northernmost edge of Dinaric Mountains. This will create a connected Dinaric-SE Alpine population and facilitate dispersal and...

Surveillance and Directed Management of the Reinforcement Process The main goal of this action is to track the reinforcement process of the Dinaric-SE Alpine lynx population and provide up-to-date information to help better manage, direct, and maximize the effects of further reinforcement activities. Because lynx are territorial, selection of release sites must account for the current distribution and sex of resident animals to...

Internet Based, Population Level Monitoring Geo-database Efficient transboundary management of lynx is impossible without reliable and efficient data collection and dissemination. The geodatabase created in this project will provide a simple-to-use and efficient facility for collection and dissemination of all lynx-related data, facilitating international collaboration in lynx conservation. It will enable direct access to...

Integration of Potential Lynx Habitat Connectivity and Suitability into National and International Spatial Planning Successful reinforcement and long-term viability of lynx in the SE Alps and Dinaric Mts. is in part dependent on demographic exchange and gene flow between populations. The goal of this action is to identify and integrate spatial information on lynx habitat connectivity into national and international-level planning....

Establishment of a Specialized Police Investigation Unit and Other Supporting Activities for More Efficient Persecution of Illegal Killings The goal of this action is to establish a specialized police investigation unit and other necessary conditions to effectively persecute potential illegal killing of lynx and other protected wildlife.  While the direct purpose of the group is to improve sanctioning, the ultimate goal of improved...

Livestock Protection The direct goal of the action is to protect livestock from lynx attacks and prevent depredation. With that, we will address a potential threat to lynx – negative attitudes of local community members, especially farmers, that can be triggered by livestock depredations. We will prevent the occurrence of damages by installing high electric nettings. These fences are used temporarily during grazing season and stored...

Improving Management of Key Prey Species for Lynx This action’s aim is to prepare new guidelines for ungulate management plans in Slovenia that better incorporate the life history of lynx. When implemented in wildlife management plans, guidelines will result in adjusted hunter harvest of ungulates. This will ensure an adequate prey base for a recovering lynx population. The emphasis will be on roe deer management, since this is the...

Implementation of Lynx-based Tourism to Provide Benefits for Local Communities and Lynx Conservation Large carnivores often cause damages to local communities, leading to lower tolerance of the species. Wildlife tourism can provide direct benefits for local communities and is one of the possible mechanisms to achieve higher local acceptance. Responsible wildlife tourism can generate an alternative income source, facilitate development...

Monitoring the Effects of Lynx Removal for Translocations on the Source Populations This action will provide information on the effects of lynx removal on the source population and ensure that the source populations in Slovakia and Romania are not threatened. At the same time, results achieved in this action will benefit designing future reinforcement programs for other endangered lynx populations in Europe, as well as other species...