Camera trap took first picture of Balkan lynx

At the turn of the year, a camera trap in the border area between Macedonia and Albania took a picture of a Balkan lynx. This photo was the first direct evidence that the endangered subspecies of the Eurasian lynx still exists.

Balkan lynx in a snowy forest at night

Both fotos: Balkan-Lynx, photographed by camera trap

© MES
Balkan lynx at night
© MES

Camera traps are activated via infrared barriers and help to monitor endangered species. Our partners of the Macedonian Ecological Society (MES) have used this tool for the first time. Therefore, they were instructed by lynx experts of the Coordinated research projects for the conservation and management of carnivores in Switzerland (KORA). However, the recent evidence for the existence does not change anything about the extremely critical situation of the Balkan lynx. It is assumed that at the moment, there are less than 100 animals.

To protect this fascinating species effectively, scientist are trying to get more data about the ecology, the spreading and the population of the Balkan lynx. They regularly search for tracks, and between February and April 2008, camera traps in the Mavrovo National Park are to take more pictures of the rare wild cat species and its prey. To prevent the Balkan lynx from extinction, EuroNatur stands up for more protected areas as well as corridors between those areas which already exist.

...more about the Balkan Lynx

...more about the Balkan Lynx project

How you can help

Donation

Future needs nature. EuroNatur cares for it. Please use your possibilities to help. With your donation you will make an effective contribution to a more livable environment.

Sustaining membership

EuroNatur focuses on long-term nature conservation projects instead of quick fixes. With your regular donations, you give us the planning security we need.

News

The entire Aoos River in Greece and its tributaries are now protected

An important step was taken today by the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy with the designation of part of the catchment area of the…

Milestone for the protection of European forests on EU-level

The EU forest monitoring law emphasises common standards for the systematic collection of data which aligns with EuroNatur’s stance advocating for the…

Still plenty of room for improvement in the Western Balkans

There is still a long way to go for all the countries of the Western Balkans if they want to become members of the EU - especially when it comes to…

EuroNatur Award 2023: Signal of support for the protection of rivers in Poland

++ Polish Save the Rivers Coalition has received the EuroNatur Award ++ Odra expansion must be halted ++ Optimism for nature conservation in Poland…

EuroNatur Award for Polish Save the Rivers Coalition

++ This year's EuroNatur Award goes to Koalicja Ratujmy Rzeki ++ The award is also a political signal for more nature conservation in Poland and all…

Illegal garbage dumps cause conflicts with bears

Illegal garbage dumps near settlements are not only a problem for the soil and the environment. They often attract brown bears. Being omnivores, the…

Urgent call to halt implementation of Odra Revitalisation Act

Construction will have devastating consequences for the Odra and surrounding areas. 51 projects aim to engineer the rivers, create artificial…

Skavica mega dam: Albanian court to scrutinise special law for U.S. contractor Bechtel

++ Constitutional complaint filed by NGOs accepted for trial ++ First milestone in fight against one of Europe’s largest reservoirs ++ Thousands of…

Growing opposition to Albanian airport

++ Bern Convention calls on Albania to stop airport construction near Narta Lagoon ++ Project in Vjosa Delta endangers thousands of migratory birds ++…