Karlsruhe relies on lynx protection: Delivery project starts now!

Karlsruhe relies on lynx protection: Delivery project starts now!

In the Karlsruhe Zoo, Luchse are currently being prepared for their release in order to increase their chances of survival in the wilderness. The planned release enclosure in the Karlsruhe Oberwald is to take an area of ​​around 5,000 square meters and is currently under construction. The enclosure of the enclosure is planned for spring 2024 and the first lynxes should then move in. This project aims to secure the population of the carpathian lynxes rare in Central Europe.

The enclosure is placed in a local recreation area, well hidden and equipped with an outer fence that keeps humans away at least 50 meters, and an inner electric fence. The nurses can work behind a privacy screen so as not to disturb the shy animals. Up to eight young animals can live in this enclosure, but are not fed with living animals. Instead, you get entire animal bodies from hunters to learn to break up. These lynxes have a natural hunting instinct, but do not have to learn hunting yourself. Due to the high mortality rate of young animals in nature, they are only released when they are independent and healthy.

Details on release

The veterinary examinations of the lynx include the general condition, the joints, the bit and the claws as well as vaccinations against various diseases. A worrying incident occurred with Finja, the first female female, which was released in Baden-Württemberg, which was found in bad condition in July 2024 and had to be put to sleep. It was disturbed by the rare infectious disease, presumably through contact with a fox. The Carpathiana fell was widespread in Europe over 200 years ago, but was greatly decimated by human persecution and habitat loss. Currently only two wild male lynx and a lynx lady exposed in November live in the Black Forest. The Karlsruhe enclosure costs 350,000 euros and is the second of its kind in Germany. By 2027, up to ten primarily female lynxes are to be released there to secure and expand the population in the country.

The project "Luchs in Baden-Württemberg" started in autumn 2023 with the aim of supporting the lynx population. As Baden-württemberg.de it is crucial that female lynxes have not been migrated to the region so far. A working group that was launched in 2004 has dealt in detail with the topic of lynxes. The project is financed by budget and donations from WWF and HIT environmental foundation, and a collaboration with partners such as the State Hunting Association and the Karlsruhe Zoo is established.

The release of up to ten female lynxes in the Black Forest is planned. The project has a term of four years and follows the approach of a transparent exchange and dialogue with hunters, farmers and animal owners. According to previous experiences, lynxes do not cause any problems for livestock owners or forest visitors and enjoy positive response from the population.

The Karlsruhe enclosure, which is supervised by the Veterinary care by the Karlsruhe Zoo, has also had success in the past. Six months ago, two male lynxes were born there, which could be discovered by camera shots.

-transmitted by West-East media