CONSERVATION OF BALKAN LYNX IN BALKAN MOUNTAINS

Balkan lynx (Lynx lynx balcanicus) is a subspecies of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) distributed in the southwest Balkan mountains in the border areas between Macedonia and Albania. Potentially, there are also a few individuals in Kosovo and Montenegro. It is an enigmatic animal and has become a symbol for nature conservation in the West Balkans. Since 2006, a conservation project has been started to study and secure the survival of the lynx and to protect its habitats: the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme. Implementation of the project is bilateral in Macedonia and Albania by the partners Macedonian Ecological Society, Protection and Preservation of the Natural Environment in Albania, Swiss KORA and EuroNatur from Germany. So far the project lasts for six years in two phases and is financed by MAVA foundation. We believe that the last stronghold of this elusive species is Mavrovo National Park in west Macedonia. Active monitoring is still conducted in this area (the last two years in the frames of SCOPES program financed by SNSF).

Since early this year Macedonian lynx team has started the winter field activities to conduct the third box–trapping session. Close communication with the lynx monitoring members from Kicevo area resulted in regular reports of lynx being observed in the area. The first box-trap was set and activated on 4 of April on the locality Orlov Kamen in the hunting ground “Dushegubica”, Stogovo Mt. Nearly 12 hours after the activation of the box-trap, our hopes and wishes became real and at 03:00 in the morning on 5 of April after the alarms, we were informed by the network members that a “young” lynx individual was trapped (the second male individual we caught so far). Following the protocol, the lynx was first tranquilized and took out of the box trap on a safe ground for further examination and tagging. Handling of the immobilized lynx has to be systematic, fast but safe. One of the team is following the vital functions like breathing, body temperature, and general health condition and record all the morphological parameters measured by the other colleagues – weight, length, defined gender etc. Next to be done was the important tagging of the lynx with GPS/GSM radio collar that will allow us to follow the tagged individual in the next year or longer. Genetic samples (hair and blood) were taken for the analysis of the taxonomic status, health and gene print. The male lynx was named “Riste”. It was released, notably a bit confused, but in good health. Since the release up to day we are following Riste, revealing us the territory he occupies (~400 km2), habitats he prefers and the composition of its diet.

Gjorge Ivanov Project assistant Balkan Lynx Recovery Program contact: [email protected] Measuring Riste

Riste in the box-trap Riste leaving the box-trap