Wild animal - Setback for species conservation: released lynx is dead
When Martin Hauser reached the territory of the lynx in the Nordschwarzwald with GPS and radio, he knew right away. "When you find such shy wildlife like a lynx and it doesn't move at all, then it's clear that this is an exceptional situation," reported the wildlife officer of the Rastatt district. Seven months ago, he had opened the trap for the release of the lynx cub Finja in the Nordschwarzwald. For months, he had followed its tracks, but a few days ago, he found the animal heavily sick and almost motionless. "There were already tears flowing," he said. "That's a hard thing. I had grown fond of Finja."
During a routine check of a possible tear, Hauser found the lynx, born in a cage, in a very poor condition. "There was no treatment that worked, and to prevent further suffering, the animal had to be euthanized," said Agriculture and Forest Minister Peter Hauk (CDU) today. "That's sad, but unfortunately, that can also be part of the reality of reintroduction projects."
Finja was the pioneer
The first female lynx in Baden-Württemberg was Finja, who was released at the beginning of December last year with a transmitter around its neck for conservation purposes. The mission: breeding. For a long time, and now again, only male lynxes lived in the southwest, and their numbers were dwindling. At least three kittens, or males, live in Baden-Württemberg. Confirmed are, among others, Toni in the Nordschwarzwald, on whom hopes were placed for a mating with Finja. In addition, a few animals that were not easily recognizable were being led in the Upper Danube Valley, at the western Bodensee, and in the Südschwarzwald. Another lynx was hit by a car on the A8 autobahn near Remchingen (Enzkreis) in January.
As the largest wild living cat species, the lynx was widespread in Europe over 200 years ago. As a predator of livestock and out of fear of rabies, it was deliberately hunted. The loss of habitats also contributed to its disappearance from the forests. Plans call for the release of up to ten, particularly female lynxes in a four-year project in the Schwarzwald to support the occurrence of lynxes in the country.
Baden-Württemberg wanted to open a new chapter in wildlife protection in the southwest with the project, said CDU Minister Hauk. "We had hoped that Finja could contribute to the rebuilding of a lynx population in the Black Forest with offspring." The animal came from a wild enclosure in Thuringia and was prepared for release in a special enclosure in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Animal welfare organizations see no danger for reintroduction project
For the animal welfare organization World Wildlife Fund, the death of the female is a heavy blow for the reintroduction project and the lynx conservation efforts in the Black Forest. However, the project is not endangered. "We had to reckon from the outset that such a challenging conservation project would also be associated with setbacks like this. After all, the mortality rate of young lynxes in the wild is inherently high," said Sybille Klenzendorf, who is responsible for the project at WWF Germany.
The green party spokesperson for nature politics in the state parliament, Markus Roésler, referred to the further planned reintroductions. However, the death of Finja is a "fatal accident".
It is still unclear why the lynx kitten died. External injuries were not present, according to the Rastatt wildlife commissioner and a spokesperson from the ministry. The animal will now be examined. However, results may take some time. "We didn't have that on our radar that we have to expect such things with wild animals," said Hauser. What's important now is to release more lynx kittens. Hauser is optimistic: "We need to release enough animals, then success is just a matter of time."
- Despite the loss of Finja, the CDU Minister Hauk still believes in the reintroduction project in the Northern Black Forest, aiming to increase the lynx population in Baden-Württemberg.
- The Wildlife Officer Martin Hauser, who was responsible for Finja's release and tracking in the Nordschwarzwald, is now planning to release more lynx kittens to continue the project.
- Peter Hauk, the Agriculture and Forest Minister from Baden-Württemberg, mentioned that Finja was part of a larger project to bring back the Lynx species, which had once thrived in the Black Forest but decreased due to hunting, loss of habitats, and fear of rabies.
- The GPS tracker and radio equipment helped Hauser locate Finja, but unfortunately, the animal was found sick and in poor condition, leading to its euthanization.
- Animal welfare organizations, such as World Wildlife Fund, are supportive of the reintroduction project despite Finja's death, acknowledging that the mortality rate of young lynxes in the wild is high.
