Our lynxes have settled in well

18.12.2024

All lynx that are released into the wild as part of the project are equipped with GPS collar transmitters, which transmit the location of the animals to the project team at regular intervals. The data from the collar transmitters allows conclusions to be drawn about the lynxes’ habitat use and their hunting behavior. Initial results show promising developments:

The data suggest that Frieda and Viorel have now established permanent home ranges in the Thuringian Forest. Frieda uses an area of around 150 km² around Tambach-Dietharz, Viorel a similarly large home range near Masserberg. Vreni and Kilian are currently between Ilmenau, Suhl and Schleusingen.

The data from the collar transmitters also prove that all lynx regularly catch prey. Examining the kills in the field provides exciting insights into the life of lynxes in the wild. It also shows that the three captive-bred lynxes Frieda, Vreni and Kilian are in no way inferior to their Romanian fellow lynx Viorel in terms of hunting success.