Swiss lynxes to be relocated to Germany

Wildlife ecologists have coordinated with their partners in Switzerland and Slovakia on how the process will unfold. The animals are to come from those countries, though not before April.

All technical matters have been resolved, said project manager Sylvia Idelberger of the Foundation for Nature and Environment Rhineland-Palatinate. An agreement on a joint approach to the reintroduction has been reached with partners in Switzerland and Slovakia, who are responsible for capturing the animals on the ground. However, the first «tuft-eared» lynxes are not expected before April.

The agreement covers matters such as when trapping may begin and which animals are suitable. Transport conditions, required permits and veterinary examinations, as well as the clarification of responsibilities, are also addressed in the document. In developing the agreement, the decades of experience of the organisation KORA — which is responsible for lynx research and monitoring in Switzerland — were drawn upon.

The last of up to ten Swiss lynxes from the Jura region is to be brought to Germany by spring 2018.

Originally, several Swiss lynxes were to have been fitted with tracking collars the previous winter to facilitate capture. However, Federal Councillor Leuthard said this had not been possible due to a shortage of staff.

The trapping itself is set to begin in March and is to last no longer than the end of April. “This is linked to the fact that the animals are then in their mating season and the females are leaving their young from the previous year,” said biologist Idelberger. After capture, the tuft-eared lynxes will first spend four weeks in quarantine before being brought to Germany. “The first Swiss lynxes are therefore not expected before April,” Idelberger explained.

The wildlife ecologists initially wish to relocate at least one pair at the same time, so that the animals can find potential partners. Idelberger pointed out that six so-called lynx sponsors have been found so far, each supporting the capture, quarantine, and transport of one animal with 10’000 euros. This means the sponsorships for the start of the project have been allocated. In total, 20 lynxes from Switzerland and Slovakia are to be relocated to the Palatinate Forest over the coming years. The animals themselves cost nothing.

The project has a total volume of 2.75 million euros. The EU covers half of the costs, while the Ministry of the Environment in Mainz contributes approximately 400’000 euros. The WWF and the Deutsche Wildtierstiftung (German Wildlife Foundation) are among the other participants. The project is accompanied by numerous activities aimed at informing the public and involving various interest groups. In addition, a study is planned to assess the tourism potential generated by the reintroduction.

The Palatinate Forest is one of the largest contiguous forested areas in Germany. Together with the Northern Vosges in France, it forms a biosphere reserve. There is no lynx population there. However, individual animals have been confirmed, most recently in 2009. The reintroduction is to be accompanied by scientific monitoring.

Lynx project in Austria “on the brink”

In the case of a lynx male illegally shot in the Kalkalpen region, the Linz Court of Appeal did convict the responsible hobby hunter (64) on Wednesday with a legally binding fine; however, it did not recognize the Kalkalpen National Park’s claim for damages amounting to 12’100 euros and referred the conservationists to the civil law route.

The national park is nonetheless insisting on payment and intends to invoice the hobby hunter for an amount of 12’500 euros, says the park’s director, Erich Mayrhofer. “Illegal acts of this kind have caused great harm to nature and to us as a national park, particularly because these are not isolated incidents,” says Mayrhofer. He expects “further investigations and legal proceedings.” If the convicted hobby hunter is unwilling to pay, legal action will be taken.

The national park director recalls that since 2009, a total of six male lynxes have disappeared without a trace. The lynx population around the national park had previously consisted of 15 documented animals. Now there is no longer any sign of life from any of the males.

"It is our legal mandate to build up and maintain the lynx population." Without the males, however, the reintroduction project is "on the brink," says Mayrhofer. "We therefore want to capture a male lynx in Switzerland and release it back into the national park area before the upcoming mating season in March and April. This is a complex project that could cost up to 15’000 euros," said Mayrhofer. The male lynx “B7” shot in spring was the offspring of reintroduced lynxes. The court ruled on Wednesday that no financial loss had been incurred by the Nationalpark GmbH when an animal dies in the wild. The Steyr public prosecutor's office continues to investigate two further cases involving possibly killed male lynxes.

"There are additional proceedings pending with us," says authority head Guido Mairunteregg. All leads in this regard have been followed up so far, but the investigations have not yet produced any results that would allow the proceedings to be concluded. "We do not yet know who is responsible."

Lynxes in Austria

The Eurasian lynx is one of the largest terrestrial predators in Europe. Lynxes hunt at dusk and at night, feeding on small mammals and birds.

Due to the loss of natural habitat and hunting, the population in Austria numbers only 20 to 25 individuals.

In Upper Austria, the lynx is effectively prohibited from being hunted, as the animals are protected year-round.

Within a range of 100 to 150 kilometres around Kalkalpen National Park, 15 animals had previously lived. Since 2009, however, six male lynxes have disappeared without a trace.

Related dossiers and articles:

• Dossier: The Lynx in Switzerland
• Dossier: Hunting and Biodiversity
• Dossier: Hunting Laws and Oversight
• Pasture nets are death traps
• All articles: Crime & Hunting
• All articles: Wildlife