Goru is the father of Teja’s kitten

Posted - Feb 3, 2020


For the success of the translocation It is crucial that the genes of the translocated lynxes are included in the population. With the help of telemetry data, photo trap photos and genetic analyzes, we confirmed that that this already happened. LIFE Lynx project partners from Biotechnical Faculty captured, radio-collared the kitten and discovered that it is a female. Genetic analysis confirmed that Goru is the kitten’s father. The team named the kitten Mala, after the area (Mala Gora), where she was captured.

Dr. Hubert Potočnik: “We put on a telemetry collar on Mala, so that we could track her movements after she separates from her mother.” Because Mala is smaller than other lynx kittens, she also has less chance of surviving after the separation from her mother. The telemetry collar will also enable the team to feed Mala through critical months until her complete independence.

With the confirmation of Goru’s paternity, we have confirmed the beginning of the inclusion of the translocated lynxes genes in the genetically impoverished Dinaric lynx population. This is crucial for saving the problems with inbreeding and will help save Dinaric lynx population from extinction.

Mala and Goru. Photo: LIFE Lynx