Still endangered: the lynx

On the occasion of International Lynx Day on 11 June, the nature conservation organization WWF Austria warns of the poor conservation status of Europe's largest cat species. Since the 1970s, the once extinct lynxes have been reintroduced in this country. However, their numbers are currently stagnating at a very low level, namely 40 in Austria and 150 in Germany. The WWF is therefore calling for more protection for the brush-eared animals, as lynx are still highly endangered in our country, often falling victim to poaching or traffic accidents.

"The maximum of 40 native lynxes live in small, isolated populations",

explains biologist Magdalena Erich from WWF Austria.

"In addition, there are hardly any offspring, as their habitat is massively fragmented due to high land consumption and genetic poverty is the result." Other threats, such as poaching, pose an additional threat to the population. In the worst case scenario, the lynx could disappear from Austria altogether.

The WWF therefore calls for the protection of animals

• better spatial planning and
• the construction of safe crossings to overcome the fragmentation of habitats
• More efforts in the fight against wildlife crime

"The lynx has a major influence on biodiversity in the forest ecosystem," explains Magdalena Erich from WWF. "For example, as a natural antagonist of deer and chamois, it ensures healthy populations of these herbivores."

New reintroduction projects can also support the lynx population. "In December 2022, a young male was released in the Kalkalpen National Park to strengthen the population," explains Magdalena Erich from WWF. As lynx cubs are usually born in late spring, the next few weeks will show whether the reintroduction was successful. If there are no offspring, further releases are urgently needed - otherwise there is a risk of another regional extinction of the lynx. Current examples of successful reintroductions can be found in Slovenia, Italy and Germany.

Our neighboring countries show how it's done

"Our neighboring countries have shown how modern lynx protection works. With appropriate measures, Austria could become an important link between the initiatives and act as a bridgehead to strengthen the populations," explains Magdalena Erich.

Currently, there are only three small lynx populations in Austria with highly fragmented distribution areas.

• In the north of the country, Austria has a share in the cross-border Bohemian-Bavarian-Austrian population. Between 20 and 25 lynx - mostly border crossers - have been recorded in the Waldviertel and Mühlviertel regions.
• The region around the Kalkalpen National Park in Upper Austria is home to a highly endangered population of just five animals.
• There were also recent indications of two lynxes in the Hochschwab region of Styria.
• The presence of a few lynx in Vorarlberg and Tyrol is a consequence of the slowly expanding population in eastern Switzerland.

Image ©️ WWF Austria