The Balkan lynx belong to the critically endangered population of Eurasian lynx, which is today limited to the region of southern Balkans with a stronghold in the western part of Macedonia (Mavrovo National Park). In the past there were many speculations about the ecology of this subspecies and several authors assumed that it may differ from other populations of Eurasian lynx in Europe. For example, it was suggested that Balkan lynx...
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After Catalin came very close to Nature Park Učka in Istria (Croatia), he turned northeast, crossed Gorski Kotar, and then returned to Slovenia. On the map below, we can see that he first headed towards Kočevsko, but then turned north again and continued towards the direction of Ljubljana. He made a few stops on the way and in one of them, he proved that his hunting skills are still very good, as we found the remains of his prey, a...
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On April 22, we celebrate Earth Day. On an eve before this day, a documentary film Back from the Brink will be broadcasted on Slovenian national television RTV. The movie is a common project of eight European national televisions from Ireland, Scotland, Spain, Swiss, Italy, Netherlands, Romania and Slovenia. The film focuses on changes in the environment. There are individuals and organizations in Europe, trying to make a difference...
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We have conducted a pre-reinforcement survey of the genetic and demographic status of residual lynx in Croatia, Slovenia and Italy. With systematic camera trapping at more than 300 camera trapping sites and with non-invasive genetic sampling via snow-tracking and hair trapping, we obtained good quality data of lynx distribution and minimum population size in Northern Dinarics and the SE Alps. We identified 71 adult lynxes, including...
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A glimpse of the wildlife biologist’s life condensed in an extended weekend in the beautiful Lika Region. Together with two women in the wildlife part of the Croatian team of the LIFE Lynx project – Ivana Selanec and Ira Topličanec, I spent some time last December. This experience reminded me of the requirements and of the privileges of this type of job: being ready to travel, having a deep connection with the territory,...
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Training is essential even under the coronavirus quarantine. ACDB team members do it like this....
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After the release on 31th of March in Snežnik forests, lynx Catalin went south towards the Slovenian and Croatian border. He went very close to the hilltop named same as he is, Katalin. Coincidence? In the area marked with orange on the map, there is a possibility that he met with a collared female lynx Martina. Martina is orphan lynx that was captured by the Croatian team in November 2019 near Ogulin. She was rehabilitated and...
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Seventh project steering group meeting and third monitor visit were a bit different than usual because this was the first time that all project partners met online. On April 6 and 7, we discussed project progress and plans for the future. We presented those to our project monitor and discussed the Midterm report we are preparing for the European Commission. Despite the coronavirus situation, our team is working full speed...
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Understanding the attitudes of stakeholder groups is crucial in the conservation of large carnivores, with the opinions of urban residents, who are mostly very positive, often being of secondary importance, but it is necessary to acknowledge the opinions of the groups that are directly influenced by lynx presence or can have a significant impact in population management. In the opinion poll we wanted to include stakeholder groups that...
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While lynx Catalin is exploring his new home, you can watch a short video of his transfer to Slovenia and the release into Snežnik forests. Video credit: Kawka production, LIFE...
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Today a three-week quarantine ended for lynx Catalin. He is the second of at least ten lynx that will be released Slovenian nature in the next four years. Two lynx out of four were already released in Croatia. The last one was lynx Alojzije, who is now exploring Paklenica National Park. During Catalin’s quarantine in Slovenia, hunters from the State managed hunting ground Jelen were in charge of feeding and checking the lynx,...
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