The paper represents the most detailed description of the lynx monitoring program in Slovenia, which was developed with the help of the LIFE Lynx project. Specifically, it explains how combining data from questionnaires, chance observations and systematic camera trapping can yield high quality data for lynx abundance and density estimation. After the reinforcement process (in the 2022-2023 survey season), the lynx population size in Slovenia was estimated at approximately 50 lynx. The paper additionally provides in depth description of how hunters as key stakeholders contributed to the data collection process. We highlight the importance of close partnership with hunters in wildlife monitoring programs, which can result in improved trust in the results from the monitoring, and acceptance of conservation measures.

Hunters were important partners in lynx monitoring in the scope of the LIFE Lynx project. Photo Urša Fležar

Unfortunately, systematic lynx monitoring has not yet continued after the LIFE Lynx project, so newer estimates of population size are not available. Information about the status of lynx should however be regularly and transparently provided to stakeholders and the public, to maintain trust in the ability of authorities to manage the lynx. With the crucial national strategic lynx conservation documents being adopted by the Slovenian government in 2024, the responsible authorities can implement the necessary activities for ensuring lynx monitoring and conservation in the long-term.

The post Hunter-engaged monitoring of the Eurasian lynx during the reinforcement process: a new scientific study available first appeared on Life lynx.

The post Hunter-engaged monitoring of the Eurasian lynx during the reinforcement process: a new scientific study available appeared first on Life lynx.

Biotechnical Faculty joined forces with Slovenia Forest Service, The Triglav National Park, ZOO Ljubljana and selected hunting clubs in the Gorenjska region. This year, we have fitted two lynxes with telemetry collars; in January, in the Bohinjska Bistrica area, we captured an adult lynx, Andrej, who was already wearing a telemetry collar as a cub, so we replaced it with a new one. Andrej is the offspring of the translocated lynxes Julia and Tris, from the 2022 litter. He was in excellent physical condition at the time of capture; weighing 23.1 kg, which is 7 kg more than when he was first captured as an adolescent lynx.

Lynx Andrej, photographed in the area of Mežakla in 2023. Photo: LIFE Lynx

A month later, another adult lynx, which we already knew from monitoring with camera traps, was caught on the Jelovica plateau. The healthy male lynx is 2-3 years old and weighed 22.5 kg at the time of capture. Local hunters named him Branko, after the hunter who helped set the trap in which the lynx was captured. Branko shares a territory with a female lynx, Talia, who established her territory in Slovenia in 2023 and had two pups the following year. It is currently the mating season for lynx, so in addition to monitoring the predation of lynxes within the Extreme Predator project, it will also be interesting to monitor their mating movements, as the males often go on mating excursions outside their territories.

Lynx Branko, photographed in the area of Jelovica. Photo: Lan Hočevar, Biotehniška Fakulteta

Experienced veterinaries from Ljubljana ZOO thoroughly examined the Lynx. Photo: Maja Sever

Video of the releas of lynx Branko, back to the forests of Jelovica:

The post Lynx Monitoring in the Alps; Extreme Predator Project first appeared on Life lynx.

The post Lynx Monitoring in the Alps; Extreme Predator Project appeared first on Life lynx.

Territories of young male lynx Miha and female lynx Rozi. Photo: Teresa Oliveira

Miha met with Rozi and the cub at the prey remains, which is extremely rare for lynx, which are otherwise solitary animals. As the lynxes were extremely friendly with each other, we suspect that this was a family reunion, but we still need to confirm the paternity of the cub with genetic analyses. Rosie’s cub confirms the success of the lynx introduction in the Alps, and represents the third recorded reproduction of lynx in the Alps in 2024. Two cubs were born to Talia, and one to Julia.

In October, a Triglav National Park ranger photographed lynx Julija with one kitten. Photo: Florijan Tišer

The post A new generation of lynx in the Slovenian Alps first appeared on Life lynx.

The post A new generation of lynx in the Slovenian Alps appeared first on Life lynx.

According to telemetry data, Sneška and Catalin med several times during the mating season and after, suggesting Catalin is likely the father of the kittens. This discovery marks an important milestone for the LIFE Lynx project, highlighting the successful integration and reproduction of the only female lynx translocated in Dinaric forests.

Sneška with her two kittens. Photo: Lan Hočevar, LIFE Lynx

Lynx Catalin marking the rock, where Sneška and her two kittens were filmed three weeks before. Photo: Lan Hočevar, LIFE Lynx

The post Sneška has two kittens! first appeared on Life lynx.

The post Sneška has two kittens! appeared first on Life lynx.