For the reintroduction, reinforcement, and conservation purposes, relevant and systematic research of the lynx population is needed. Reliable data on lynx abundance, trends, genetic diversity, and health status are the basis of such research, that allow us to assess whether the lynx population in an area corresponds with the favourable status for lynx as a species of European importance, and whether it is suitable for capturing and translocating animals without any negative consequences for its viability. Based on the data, it is then possible to implement the reintroduction or reinforcement of the lynx in Central and Western Europe. Such approach is also in accordance with objectives of the Management plan for the Eurasian lynx in Slovakia, EU Habitats Directive, the Key Actions for Large Carnivores in Europe, the Recommendations for reintroductions and further translocations of species for conservation purposes and the Recommendations for the conservation of Eurasian lynx in Europe.
To support current international efforts by Slovenia, Croatia and Italy to reinforce lynx populations in the Dinarides and the Alps, the Department of Applied Zoology and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen (TUZVO) in cooperation with the Ministry of the Environment of the Slovak Republic and the National Zoological garden Bojnice entered the LIFE Lynx project. As the main activity, TUZVO does the systematic monitoring of lynx populations in central (Vepor Mountains, Vtáčnik Mountains) and eastern Slovakia (Volovec Mountains) as potentially suitable areas with lynx population in the favourable status. Slovakian project team prepared the Technical report on lynx monitoring in the Vtáčnik Mountains in the Slovak Carpathians.