Status and Distribution of the Lynx in the German Alps

Ilv~tri.4.(1i.s.) 10 (I) (1998): 39-42

STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE LYNX IN THE GERMAN ALPS

PETRAKACZENSKY

ABSTRACT - The lynx (Lyu 1yri.v) had been eradicated in the German Alps by the middle of the 19th century. Since the early 1970s thcre have been several attempts to initiate the re-introduction of lynx into the German Alps. but none of the projects could be carried out because of the still very controversial attitudes towards the species, and because of competition between institutions. Natural re- colonization of the German Alps by lynx can be expected sooner or later from Switzerland or Aus- tria. Although lynx are already present in some parts of Germany outside the Alps, neithcr an orga- nized monitoring system nor compensation regulations for losses of livestock exist. For a successful comeback of lynx into Germany, including the German Alps, more efforts than a year-round protection by the federal hunting law ib needed. Initiative management actions and intensive public cduca- tion are necessary to obtain and secure public acceptance of the lynx. Krx-~wds:Ly1i.x lynx, status, distribution, Germany, Alps

INTRODUCTION pros and cons or the location of possible lynx re-introductions. the lynx has already The German portion of the Alps is fairly started a quiet comeback into some parts of small. With a maximum width of 30 km. Germany - outside the Alps. the German Alps cover the southcrnmost part of the state of Baden-Wiirttembcrg to the west and the state of Bavaria to the cast PRESENT ST.KI'US OF TIIE LYNX IN (BBtzing 1991, Fig. 1). The lynx disap- GERMANY peared from there around 1850, with one of the last lynx being killed in 1888 in Ober- No signs of permanent lynx presence have bayerii, not far from Berchtesgaden Natio- yet been registered in the German Alps. nal Park (Eiberle 1972). Even more than a Several observations (16 direct observa- century after its eradication, the attitudes to- tions and tracks, but no kills) have been wards this predator are still very controver- collected in the area of Berchtesgaden sial. with the main resistance coming from within the last 10 years (Zierl, pers. sheep farmers and hunters. Many project comm.), but are difficult to confirm. It is proposals to release lynx into the Alps and possible that a single lynx might have othcr parts of Germany - e.g. Bcrchtes- moved from Austria as far as Rerchtcs- gaden National Park (Cop 1988). Ammer- gaden. The scattered distribution of the gauer Alps (Kluth et al. 1989), Bavarian lynx in Austria, probably consisting of on- Forest National Park (Cop 1988, Kleyen ly single individuals, may have caused 1989, Wotschikowsky 1989), Black Forest long-distance movements by animals in (Gossmaiin-Kiillncr and Eisfeld 1990), search of a mate. Rut not all observations PfBlzer Wald (Acken and Griinwald 1977, are plausible, and the absence of lynx kills Berthold 1994) and Harz National Park and the scarcity of tracks found suggest (Anonymous 1994) - have been rejected or that so far only occasional dispersers have postponed. While scientists, farmers, hun- occurred in this area. ters, and ministers are still arguing over the Outside the Alps there are four different a- 40 P. Kaczenskq reas with confirmed lynx presence (Fig. 1): DISCUSSION the Bavarian Forest (Linn 1994) and the The discussion about lynx in Germany is Fichtelgebirge (U. Wotschikowsky. pers. mainly focused on whethcr and where to re- comm.), where lynx move in from a re-in- introduce this feline. There is nothing ti-oduced population in Sumava National wrong with re-introducing the species into Park (Czech Republic), the Black Forest suitable habitat - and large parts of the Ger- (Hockenjos 1990) and the Pfalzer Wald (E man Alps arc suitable habitat - it is equally Berthold, unpubl.) where lynx presence imporlant to collect data on the status or cx- probably resulted from illegal release of in- isting populations (e.g. Bavarian Forest, dividual. Lynx arc also believed to be pre- Fichtelgebirge), and to develop manage- sent in the Elbsandstein area, but signs of ment plans that include public education, lynx presence described by Riebe (1994) damage compensation, and monitoring. are of questionable reliability. No lynx are Even if re-introductions will never take (permanently) present in the German Alps. place in the German Alps, we need to pre- Immigration of lynx from Austria, the area pare for the immigration of lynx from ex- of Lungau (70 km from the border) being panding populations in neighbouring coun- the next region with confirmed lynx pre- tries (through expansion or future re-intro- sence (Huber 1995), is possiblc and should duction). For the re-establishment of the be expected sooner or later. The chances for lynx in the whole range of the Alps, it is a natural re-colonization of the German important to close the gap between the east- Alps by lynx will entirely depend on the ex- ern nucleus (Slovenia and Austria) and the pansion of the Austrian and the Swiss lynx western nucleus (Switzerland. France and population, because the lynx populations in ltalyj in order to allow an exchange of ge- the Bavarian forest and the Black Forest are netic material by dispersing individuals. isolated from the Alps by unsuitable habi- The small German portion of the Alps will tat. not be critical for this purpose. but Ger- In German federal hunting law, the lynx is many signed the Bern Convcntion and listed as a species with year-round protection, therefore has the legal responsibility to sup- and permits for legal shooting cannot be is- port the rc-establishment of this predator. sued (BJagdC, 52, Tierarten; BJagdG, $22. To achieve long-term acceptance or large Jagd- und Schonzeiten). At prcsent, there is prcdators. not only by the urban but also by no regulated compensation for damage the rural population, much education is still caused by lynx. In a few places private orga- required. For example, a step into the right nizations volunteer payment. For example, in direction has been taken with an even more one region of the Bavarian Forest the local controversial predator in Brandenburg. hunters association is paying DM 100.00 for There. in collaboration with different inte- every wild ungulate killed by lynx - so far rest groups, a management plan for wolves they have paid for two (U. Wotschikowsky, is being prepared before any problems have pers. comm.) - and for the planned re-intro- occurred (Ch. Promberger and D. Hofer, duction of lynx in the Black Forest the mon- unpubl.). ey for compensation is expccted to be co- vered by sponsors (H. Dolle, pers. comm.). There is no systematic monitoring system in A(:KNOWLEDGEMEPI’I.S.I would like to thank all place. All information has been collected by people who provided oral or written inlormation interested people or organizations. and there on the situation of the lynx in Germany, in par- are no standardized forms and no central da- ticular lllrich Wotschikowsky of the Munich ta base on lynx observations in Germany. Wildlife Society. Thc lynx in the German Alps 41 I' \ Poland \ Germany

Eibsandstein \

Fich telgebirge Czech Republic

Bavarian Forest National Park

Figure 1. Lynx distribution (dark shaded areas) in Germany relative to the Alps (light grey area). Question marks represent uncertain lynx presence. 42 P. Kaczensky

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