Saxony's small lynx population has grown thanks to an immigration from Bohemia. After the feline predator fell into a photo trap several times in the Eibenstock area since the beginning of February, the animal has now been identified, according to the State Office for Environment, Agriculture and Geology. According to the Czech National Park Administration, it is Bardi from the Bohemian Forest. Its unmistakable characteristic spot pattern quickly led to this result when comparing images.
Lynx from the Bohemian Forest could refresh Saxony's population
The long migration is considered to be of great importance for the Saxon lynx project. This is because Bardi meets the lynxes that have been released into the wild here in recent years in the Westerzgebirge. It is very likely that Bardi competed with the male lynx Chapo for the female Alva. The lynx mating season is between February and April. Should Bardi settle permanently in the Westerzgebirge, he could strengthen the local, still small and developing population.
Seven lynxes released into the wild in Saxony so far
According to the state office, the Bohemian-Bavarian-Austrian lynx population is one of the most important in Central Europe and plays a central role in connecting other European populations. It was founded in the 1970s and 1980s as part of reintroduction projects based on a small number of animals from the Western Carpathians. This means that Bardi belongs to the same subspecies as the lynxes previously released into the wild in Saxony.
Since 2024, seven lynxes have been released into the wild in the Eibenstock Forest in Saxony, including the two wild-caught animals Alva and Nova from Switzerland. Anton is no longer alive, he was run over by a car. Two more lynx are due to be released into the wild in late summer 2026.
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