The project aims to improve the unfavourable situation of the Eurasian lynx at the edge of its natural range in Poland (species conservation status "unfavourable — bad (U2)") and to address identified problems and threats confirmed, among others, by the report submitted to the European Commission in 2019.

Main project objectives

  1. Restoration of the historical range of the Baltic lynx meta-population in Central Europe by creating genetically diverse local "stepping stone" populations in Northern Poland.
  2. Creating conditions for effective dispersal and gene flow within the Baltic lynx meta-population in Poland and through bridging populations in Lithuania — between the compact range in Eastern Europe and peripheral populations in Central Europe, and additionally enabling the natural return of lynx to the lowlands of north-eastern Germany.
  3. Maintaining social acceptance for the lynx's protected status in Poland, Lithuania and Germany and gaining support for a conservation and management strategy for the Baltic population of this species, developed in cooperation with key stakeholders.

Identified threats

The project addresses the main threats to the Baltic lynx population in Poland:

  • High mortality
  • Low genetic variability
  • Lack of connectivity within the meta-population in Poland and Lithuania
  • Low social acceptance

Project partners

  • West Pomeranian Nature Society (ZTP) — coordinating beneficiary, implementing lynx reintroduction in northern Poland
  • Spychowo Forest District — creating a lynx rehabilitation centre in north-eastern Poland
  • Ecosystem Protection Centre (Lithuania) — increasing knowledge and acceptance of lynx presence in southern Lithuania
  • Rewilding Oder Delta (Germany) — creating a field team monitoring lynx on the Polish-German border
  • WWF Poland Foundation — conducting promotional activities and supporting lynx monitoring in north-eastern Polish forests

Project activities

  1. Genetic diversification — creating a founder group from the Baltic lowland population for new local lynx sub-populations
  2. Comprehensive lynx care — preparing animals for return to the wild, telemetry, elimination of threats such as mange
  3. Field diagnostics in Lithuania — monitoring dispersal of lynx from Poland to Lithuania
  4. Public preparation in Germany — establishing and training a field team from Rewilding Oder Delta
  5. Genotype library — database of approx. 150+ Eurasian lynx genotypes for planning ex situ and in situ conservation activities
  6. Public support — activities to maintain the lynx conservation status in Poland and Lithuania, including among foresters and hunters
  7. Knowledge exchange — best practices related to lynx reintroduction in Poland and Europe