The Missing Lynx Project

The Missing Lynx Project has been made aware of the suspected illegal release and subsequent capture of two lynx in the Cairngorms National Park. We are relieved to hear that the animals have been quickly caught and are being cared for. Reintroduction of any species is a delicate process requiring careful planning and the acceptance of local communities. This is important for the welfare of the animals involved as well as the chances of establishing a healthy population.  You can read our full statement on our website: https://lnkd.in/eU2crASu

Last month we shared the news that a female lynx named Verena had been released into the wild in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. She has now been joined by another released lynx! A male lynx named Reinhold was released just before Christmas, three weeks after Verena entered the Black Forest. The team also announced that Verena is settling in well, feeding on roe deer. The project has put together a video of Verena’s release and post-release monitoring. It’s in German, but has some fantastic footage of Verena and her new home. https://lnkd.in/dYSFeGMZ

Did you know scientists have been able to extract lynx DNA from tracks left in snow?   This allows them to identify the individual lynx that made the tracks, which can help people study their movements.

Happy New Year from The Missing Lynx Project!   Why not make a New Year’s Resolution to learn more about lynx and share your views on the subject of their reintroduction?   You can learn much more about them – and find a link to our lynx questionnaire – on our website: https://lnkd.in/e9gJFRQd

Lynx are usually solitary animals, living alone. But for some festive fun, we’ve added a few extra lynx to this photo! How many can you spot?

What’s it like to see a lynx in the wild? These elusive cats are a rare sight, hidden in their woodland homes. In our latest blog, Joe from The Missing Lynx Project shares his memories of one unforgettable encounter! https://lnkd.in/g_4eufP4

The Eurasian lynx is one of the smaller predators that lives in Europe, hunting mostly roe deer. Recent research has found that lynx need to hunt more often in areas where they overlap with boars and bears, as they lose some of their prey to the larger animals.

Lynx reintroductions have brought economic boosts in other parts of Europe. Our business focus groups are exploring the opportunities that a lynx reintroduction could bring in northern England and southern Scotland. If you have an existing business, or an idea for one, join us to explore the business potential of lynx!   We have groups in Northumberland and southern Scotland and would love to hear from you. Get in touch at info@missinglynxproject.org.uk

Several members of The Missing Lynx Project team recently toured Germany, visiting three active lynx reintroduction projects. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn from people with first-hand experience of reintroducing and monitoring lynx. They also met Leo, a wildlife detection dog and expert at finding signs of lynx! Find out more about the projects and what we discovered in our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/ez_8b5Ab

The Iberian lynx is a close relative of the Eurasian lynx. It lives in Spain and Portugal.   This year, the Iberian lynx’s conservation status improved from ‘endangered’ to ‘vulnerable’ as conservation work helped the species to bounce back from the brink.   Amazingly, research published earlier in the year found that modern Iberian lynx have greater genetic diversity than their ancestors 4,000 years ago, despite the population shrinking as the species faced extinction.   By analysing the DNA of ancient and present-day Iberian lynx, scientists found that in the recent past they had hybridised with Eurasian lynx, leading to an increase in their genetic diversity.