Eurasian lynx- comprehensive page

Northern Eurasia

The substantial book, The Physical Geography of Northern Eurasia, Edited by Maria Shahgedanova (latest edition 2003 and priced at $203) – provides some further insights into Eurasian lynx populations and hunting of this wild cat in Russia.

Although the book is published in 2003 it seems that the data relates to perhaps 5 or more years earlier, which should be taken into account. The authors state that there are about 30,000 Eurasian lynx in Russia. Two thousand are legally shot each year. While in European Russia the greatest population density is in the Vologda region (10-15 per 1000 Km²). In central European Russia the density is lower at 4-5 per 1000 Km². The authors say the populations are declining particularly in western regions. European Russia is west of the Ural Mountains.

The part of Russia left of the red pin (the line of the Ural Mountains) is European Russia.

In Turkey the Eurasian lynx have been nearly extirpated or are rare across the region.

Carpathian Mountains – a valuable research paper by:

Valeria Salvatori, Henryk Okarma, Ovidiu Ionescu, Yaroslav Dovhanych, Slavomir Find’o & Luigi Boitani

Interesting research (dated 2002) was carried out in respect of hunting legislation in the Carpathian Mountains in Central Europe. The research relates to three carnivores; the brown bear Ursus arctos, the Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx and the wolf Canis lupus. Of course, I focus on the Eurasian Lynx. The Carpathian Mountains in Central Europe are shown on this map modified from a Nasa image (wikipedia commons Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC):

This is the research paper in PDF format: Hunting Legislation in the Carpathians – link broken May 2013. Please read on as this summaries the document (at considerable effort!). I have reduced it to bullet points:

• The elusive nature of the lynx makes it hard to hunt and in the Ukraine and Romania trophy hunters are more interested in hunting the bear. While in Poland it is heavily poached as it is valued as a trophy.
• The Lynx causes little livestock damage/loss. The greatest threats are (a) habitat “modification”, decline in its prey (due to over hunting) and poaching.
• Lynx are hunted for trophy value.
• Poaching in Slovakia may be “considerable” despite strict protection.
• Human activities are in conflict with conservation.
• The Lynx prey is also hunted by humans (my comment: we do i t for pleasure the Lynx out of necessity).
• The Carpathian Mountains are a good habitat for the Lynx. 30% of European Lynx occupy the Carpathian Mountains.
• Eastern European people have a long tradition of hunting.
• In the countries discussed, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine the territories are divided into hunting grounds.
• The hunting grounds are managed by non-governmental bodies (HG Managers).
• Except for Poland hunting permits are bought.
• Generally, hunting quotas are calculated by HG managers based on density “estimates”.
• Proper methods for evaluating population density are not followed systematically.
• The Ukraine was singled out as surveys were considered haphazard.
• The official estimates from HG Managers as to population sizes are rejected as inaccurate by local researchers consulted – this is very important information as it goes to the accuracy of Red List assessment as it is probable that information for population density comes from these people. After all they are the managing bodies.
• Ultimately regulation of hunting is “monopolised” by hunting clubs and law enforcement is unsuccessful as the enforcing authorities don’t “consider illegal hunting as a social offence” . In other words there is a lack of commitment to the legislation, indeed a disbelief in it.
• Eurasian lynx populations are overestimated leading to inaccurate hunting quotas risking over harvesting.
• There is heavy illegal hunting in the Alps. Illegal hunting generally needs to be much better controlled.
• Fragmentation of habitat and dense human population are factors in threatening the Eurasian Lynx survival as well.
• There is a lack of scientific involvement thus hindering management plans.