The number of lynx extirpated and resettled in Austria since 1970 is currently stagnant at a very low level. There are currently only 40 animals in the Alpine Republic. Reduced habitat and genetic poverty are believed to be the reasons for the lack of offspring. Lynxes are also threatened by poaching.
“The maximum of 40 native lynx live in small, isolated populations,” said WWF biologist Magdalena Erich. “Moreover, there are hardly any descendants, because their habitat is extremely fragmented due to the high consumption of land and genetic poverty is the result.” Other threats, such as poaching, also threaten the files.
“The lynx exerts a major influence on the diversity of species in the forest ecosystem,” Erich said. “As a natural antagonist of deer and chamois, for example, it maintains healthy populations of these herbivores.”
New settlement projects can also support the lynx population. In December 2022, a young male already settled in the Kalkalpen National Park to strengthen the population. Since lynx offspring are usually born in late spring, the coming weeks will show whether the establishment was successful. In the worst case, the lynx could disappear completely from Austria.
Lynx occurrence in Austria
There are currently only three small lynx populations in Austria with highly fragmented ranges. In the north of the country, Austria has a share of the cross-border Bohemian-Bavarian-Austrian population. In the Waldviertel and Mühlviertel, 20 to 25 lynxes – mostly border commuters – were found. The region around the Kalkalpen National Park in Upper Austria is home to a highly endangered population of currently just five animals.
There were recently indications of two lynxes in the Hochschwab area of Styria. The occurrence of a few lynxes in Vorarlberg and Tyrol is a consequence of the slowly growing population in eastern Switzerland.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
