IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library
   

 

View printer friendly
Schmidt, H.; Breitenmoser-Wrsten, C.; Posthaus, H.; Giacometti, M.
Causes of mortality of free-ranging lynx in Switzerland
1998  Conference Proceeding

In the early 1970s, the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) has been reintroduced into the Swiss Alps and the Swiss Jura Mountains. Today, two distinct lynx populations exist in these two areas. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated 51 post-mortem exams of free ranging lynx which were found in Switzerland between 1987 and 1997. These data were compared with data from biological field studies. Our results show an increase of case numbers in the northwestern part of the Swiss Alps corresponding to an increase of this population. However, in other regions of the Swiss Alps, the lynx population is stable or decreasing. Submissions from the Jura Mountains remained relatively stable for the last 11 years. 45% of the dead lynx were juvenile, 20% subadult, and 31% adult. 62% of the mortality among lynx was human caused, mainly due to car accidents or poaching. Infectious diseases were encountered in 20% of all cases. Therefore we conclude that the human caused mortality is a major threat for the long term survival of the Eurasian lynx in Switzerland.

PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here

 

(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union)