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Tamas, S.
First genetic evidences of wolf (_Canis lupus_) in Thuringia and for wildcat (_Felis silvestris_) in the region of Saale-Holzland-Jena (Thuringia); evidences of lynx (_Lynx lynx_) by Gr„fenthal (Thuringia)
2015  S„ugetierkundliche Informationen (10): 41-54

The last Thuringian wolf is said to be shot down near Greiz in 1884. On May 11 2014 could be made some remarkable photos of a wolf were shot close to Bittst„dt, a Thuringian village situated in the surroundings of the military training ground "Gotha-Ohrdruf". In a first tracing in the catchment area of the training ground fresh droppings were detected that have been identified as those of Canis lupus. A genetic analysis of the dropping made clear that the originator was a female individual having already been traced on March 30 2014 south of Zwickau, Saxony. She derives from the so called Spremberger wolf pack in the Lausitz area. The wolf by now named "W”lfin von Ohrdruf" has since been continuously proved on this site. Current data on wildcat occurrence in Thuringia confirms presence in forest and low mountain regions around the Thringer Becken. There are only few indications, however, for the eastern region of the middle Saale area. For the first time now a hair-trapping method using lure sticks made it undoubtedly possible to genetically verify wildcats in forestry areas around Jena. Evidence of lynx in Southern Thuringia adjoining the Bavarian border has already been documented many times. On March 1 2015 it was possible to photograph a lynx near Gr„fenroda by means of camera traps. Further night-time black-and-white shots of the same camera in the same location moreover revealed this lynx rubbing against a valerian-treated lure stick. The trapped hair as well as the dropping found in close distance were collected for genetic analysis.

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