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Reidar Andersen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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An evaluation of structured snow-track surveys to monitor Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx populations
Wildlife Biology, 2007Co-Authors: John D. C. Linnell, John Odden, Peder Fiske, Henrik Brøseth, Ivar Herfindal, Reidar AndersenAbstract:Abstract Counts of tracks that passively accumulate on a suitable substrate are commonly used to derive indices of large carnivore abundance. In this study we evaluate the suitability of a similar survey using multiple 3-km long transect-lines to detect changes in population size for Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx in central Norway. We used GIS methods to simulate the crossing of transect lines by Lynx using real telemetry data from the study area. We compared the effect of transect-line placement (deliberate vs random), transect-line density, and the number of nights over which tracks can accumulate in the snow. For each scenario we evaluated both the probability of detecting Lynx that are present in the survey area, and the power of the index to detect changes between consecutive surveys. Deliberately placed lines performed significantly better than randomly placed lines, and as expected, increases in line density and the period of track accumulation improved the outcome. Using three nights of track accumulati...
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Distance rules for minimum counts of Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx family groups under different ecological conditions
Wildlife Biology, 2007Co-Authors: John D. C. Linnell, Peter Segerstrom, Reidar Andersen, John Odden, Krzysztof Schmidt, Tor Kvam, Olof Liberg, Henrik Brøseth, Henryk OkarmaAbstract:Abstract Monitoring of Lynx Lynx Lynx populations in Scandinavia is largely based around unreplicated minimum counts of family groups, i.e. adult females with dependent kittens. When observations cannot be separated from each other on the basis of back-tracking in the snow it is desirable to use a distance rule to separate observations of groups that are so far apart that they are unlikely to be derived from the same group. We have analysed radio-telemetry derived movement data from five study areas, corresponding to three ecologically different regions, in Scandinavia, and included data from Poland for comparison. We derive examples of two different distance rules; one is a static rule based on home-range size and length which is suitable for observations accumulated during a whole winter, and the other is a dynamic rule suitable for observations collected within 1-7 days of each other. Because of inter-study area variation in home-range size and movement there is a need to use different rules in differe...
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selectivity of eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx and recreational hunters for age sex and body condition in roe deer capreolus capreolus
Wildlife Biology, 2007Co-Authors: Reidar Andersen, John D. C. Linnell, John Odden, Joorn Karlsen, Lars Bendik Austmo, Jean-michel GaillardAbstract:Abstract Data on the age, sex and condition of roe deer Capreolus capreolus killed by Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx and human hunters were collected in two study areas in the counties of Nord-Trondelag and Hedmark in central and southeastern Norway, respectively. Data on the age and sex structure of the standing population were also collected. No differences in the age or sex structure of roe deer killed by Lynx were found between the two study areas or between years with differing snow depths which was expected to affect age-class vulnerability. The profile of 151 Lynx-killed roe deer (24% adult males, 44% adult females, 11% male fawns and 21% female fawns) was not statistically different from that of the standing population. In contrast, hunters killed a significantly larger proportion of adult animals, especially males (44% adult males, 28% adult females, 15% male fawns and 13% female fawns). The detailed age structure of Lynx killed and hunter killed animals was not different within the adult age class. The...
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risk taking by eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx in a human dominated landscape effects of sex and reproductive status
Journal of Zoology, 2006Co-Authors: Nils Bunnefeld, John Odden, John D. C. Linnell, Van Marijtje Duijn, Reidar AndersenAbstract:This study aimed to test how the sex and reproductive status of Eurasian Lynx influenced their use of ‘attractive sinks’ – habitats with high prey density and high mortality risks. Locations of 24 Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx were obtained by radiotelemetry in a mixed forest and agricultural habitat in south-eastern Norway. Roe deer, the major food source of Lynx in the study area, occurred at higher densities closer to areas of human activity and infrastructure. Proximity of Lynx locations to human activity and infrastructure was used as a risk index because the most common causes of death among Scandinavian Lynx were of anthropogenic origin. This study shows that distances from Lynx locations to human activity were significantly greater for females with newborn kittens than for males, but this decreased with kitten age. The data suggest that this response to human activity is influenced by the reproductive strategies of males and females, and might explain male-biased human-induced mortality in this study and in carnivores more generally.
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Does the spatiotemporal distribution of livestock influence forage patch selection in Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx
Wildlife Biology, 2006Co-Authors: Pål Fossland Moa, John D. C. Linnell, Tor Kvam, Ivar Herfindal, Kristian Overskaug, Reidar AndersenAbstract:Abstract Depredation on livestock is one of the main conflicts associated with Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx conservation in Norway. Our study investigates how Eurasian Lynx utilise high-density patches of free-ranging and unguarded livestock (domestic sheep Ovis aries and semi-domestic reindeer Rangifer tarandus) as compared to patches associated with low-density wild ungulate prey, roe deer Capreolus capreolus. We monitored 10 radio-collared Lynx in central Norway in two seasons that differed in ungulate distribution and density. According to the 'optimal foraging theory' an animal should preferentially utilise areas with more abundant food if not constrained by other factors; therefore we predicted that Lynx should select patches containing livestock. Contrary to our prediction the results indicate no selection for livestock patches in any season. In contrast, a clear preference was shown for roe deer patches in both seasons. Our findings support the hypothesis that Lynx depredation on livestock seems to be ...
John D. C. Linnell - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Physiologically Persistent Corpora lutea in Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx) – Longitudinal Ultrasound and Endocrine Examinations Intra-Vitam
PloS one, 2014Co-Authors: Johanna Painer, John D. C. Linnell, Jon M Arnemo, John Odden, Katarina Jewgenow, Martin Dehnhard, Thomas B. Hildebrandt, Frank GoeritzAbstract:Felids generally follow a poly-estrous reproductive strategy. Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx) display a different pattern of reproductive cyclicity where physiologically persistent corpora lutea (CLs) induce a mono-estrous condition which results in highly seasonal reproduction. The present study was based around a sono-morphological and endocrine study of captive Eurasian Lynx, and a control-study on free-ranging Lynx. We verified that CLs persist after pregnancy and pseudo-pregnancy for at least a two-year period. We could show that Lynx are able to enter estrus in the following year, while CLs from the previous years persisted in structure and only temporarily reduced their function for the period of estrus onset or birth, which is unique among felids. The almost constant luteal progesterone secretion (average of 5 ng/ml serum) seems to prevent folliculogenesis outside the breeding season and has converted a poly-estrous general felid cycle into a mono-estrous cycle specific for Lynx. The hormonal regulation mechanism which causes Lynx to have the longest CL lifespan amongst mammals remains unclear. The described non-felid like ovarian physiology appears to be a remarkably non-plastic system. The Lynx's reproductive ability to adapt to environmental and anthropogenic changes needs further investigation.
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Fear of the unknown: local knowledge and perceptions of the Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx in western Macedonia
Oryx, 2011Co-Authors: Nicolas Lescureux, John D. C. Linnell, Sabit Mustafa, Dime Melovski, Aleksandar Stojanov, Gjorge Ivanov, Vasko Avukatov, Manuela Von Arx, Urs BreitenmoserAbstract:The remnant population of Balkan Lynx Lynx Lynx martinoi is small, isolated and highly threatened. Since 2006 a conservation project has surveyed its status and promoted its recovery in Albania and Macedonia. Eurasian Lynx are often associated with conflicts of an economic or social nature, and their conservation requires a focus on the people sharing the landscape with the species. In this study we adopt methods and conceptual frameworks from anthropology to explore the local knowledge and perceptions of Lynx among rural hunters and livestock breeders in the western mountains of the Republic of Macedonia in south-east Europe. The main finding was that local people rarely saw or interacted with Lynx. As the level of interactions with this species is very low, the Lynx doesn’t appear to be a species associated with conflicts in Macedonia. There was also a general lack of both scientific and local knowledge, which has led to somewhat negative attitudes, mainly based on myths and rumours. Poaching of Lynx and their prey seem to be the main barriers to Lynx conservation.
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Human kleptoparasitism on Euroasion Lynx (Lynx Lynx L.) in Slovenia and Norway
2008Co-Authors: Miha Krofel, John D. C. Linnell, John Odden, Ivan Kos, Ivonne TeurlingsAbstract:Throughout their evolution, humans have scavenged the remains of prey killed by large carnivores. Such human kleptoparasitism is still occurring nowadays, however, the reasons for it today are more diverse than the simple acquisition of food. The phenomenon is very poorly documented and most of the data available come for Africa and Asia. In this paper we present data of human kleptoparasitism on kills made by Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx) in two contrasting regions of Europe, Slovenia and Norway, gathered from different sources. Due to their relatively small size and prolonged consumption process, Eurasian Lynx is particularly vulnerable to human kleptoparasitism. The collected data suggest that people relatively often nd prey remains of Lynx in both countries. While in Norway they normally leave it at the kill site, in Slovenia they usually remove it and thereby prevent the Lynx from nishing their consumption of the prey. Reasons for removal include their use for human or dog food, use as a bait for attracting other carnivores, to get authorities to do autopsy, to ‘clean the environment’, or to get ‘revenge’ on the Lynx. We assume that although the extent of human kleptoparasitism is not such that it could lead to starvation of individual Lynx, it probably increases the predation rate of Lynx, which in turn leads to greater energy expenditure sustained during hunting and may also increase the con icts with hunters due to higher pressure on game species.
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An evaluation of structured snow-track surveys to monitor Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx populations
Wildlife Biology, 2007Co-Authors: John D. C. Linnell, John Odden, Peder Fiske, Henrik Brøseth, Ivar Herfindal, Reidar AndersenAbstract:Abstract Counts of tracks that passively accumulate on a suitable substrate are commonly used to derive indices of large carnivore abundance. In this study we evaluate the suitability of a similar survey using multiple 3-km long transect-lines to detect changes in population size for Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx in central Norway. We used GIS methods to simulate the crossing of transect lines by Lynx using real telemetry data from the study area. We compared the effect of transect-line placement (deliberate vs random), transect-line density, and the number of nights over which tracks can accumulate in the snow. For each scenario we evaluated both the probability of detecting Lynx that are present in the survey area, and the power of the index to detect changes between consecutive surveys. Deliberately placed lines performed significantly better than randomly placed lines, and as expected, increases in line density and the period of track accumulation improved the outcome. Using three nights of track accumulati...
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Distance rules for minimum counts of Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx family groups under different ecological conditions
Wildlife Biology, 2007Co-Authors: John D. C. Linnell, Peter Segerstrom, Reidar Andersen, John Odden, Krzysztof Schmidt, Tor Kvam, Olof Liberg, Henrik Brøseth, Henryk OkarmaAbstract:Abstract Monitoring of Lynx Lynx Lynx populations in Scandinavia is largely based around unreplicated minimum counts of family groups, i.e. adult females with dependent kittens. When observations cannot be separated from each other on the basis of back-tracking in the snow it is desirable to use a distance rule to separate observations of groups that are so far apart that they are unlikely to be derived from the same group. We have analysed radio-telemetry derived movement data from five study areas, corresponding to three ecologically different regions, in Scandinavia, and included data from Poland for comparison. We derive examples of two different distance rules; one is a static rule based on home-range size and length which is suitable for observations accumulated during a whole winter, and the other is a dynamic rule suitable for observations collected within 1-7 days of each other. Because of inter-study area variation in home-range size and movement there is a need to use different rules in differe...
John Odden - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Physiologically Persistent Corpora lutea in Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx) – Longitudinal Ultrasound and Endocrine Examinations Intra-Vitam
PloS one, 2014Co-Authors: Johanna Painer, John D. C. Linnell, Jon M Arnemo, John Odden, Katarina Jewgenow, Martin Dehnhard, Thomas B. Hildebrandt, Frank GoeritzAbstract:Felids generally follow a poly-estrous reproductive strategy. Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx) display a different pattern of reproductive cyclicity where physiologically persistent corpora lutea (CLs) induce a mono-estrous condition which results in highly seasonal reproduction. The present study was based around a sono-morphological and endocrine study of captive Eurasian Lynx, and a control-study on free-ranging Lynx. We verified that CLs persist after pregnancy and pseudo-pregnancy for at least a two-year period. We could show that Lynx are able to enter estrus in the following year, while CLs from the previous years persisted in structure and only temporarily reduced their function for the period of estrus onset or birth, which is unique among felids. The almost constant luteal progesterone secretion (average of 5 ng/ml serum) seems to prevent folliculogenesis outside the breeding season and has converted a poly-estrous general felid cycle into a mono-estrous cycle specific for Lynx. The hormonal regulation mechanism which causes Lynx to have the longest CL lifespan amongst mammals remains unclear. The described non-felid like ovarian physiology appears to be a remarkably non-plastic system. The Lynx's reproductive ability to adapt to environmental and anthropogenic changes needs further investigation.
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Human kleptoparasitism on Euroasion Lynx (Lynx Lynx L.) in Slovenia and Norway
2008Co-Authors: Miha Krofel, John D. C. Linnell, John Odden, Ivan Kos, Ivonne TeurlingsAbstract:Throughout their evolution, humans have scavenged the remains of prey killed by large carnivores. Such human kleptoparasitism is still occurring nowadays, however, the reasons for it today are more diverse than the simple acquisition of food. The phenomenon is very poorly documented and most of the data available come for Africa and Asia. In this paper we present data of human kleptoparasitism on kills made by Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx) in two contrasting regions of Europe, Slovenia and Norway, gathered from different sources. Due to their relatively small size and prolonged consumption process, Eurasian Lynx is particularly vulnerable to human kleptoparasitism. The collected data suggest that people relatively often nd prey remains of Lynx in both countries. While in Norway they normally leave it at the kill site, in Slovenia they usually remove it and thereby prevent the Lynx from nishing their consumption of the prey. Reasons for removal include their use for human or dog food, use as a bait for attracting other carnivores, to get authorities to do autopsy, to ‘clean the environment’, or to get ‘revenge’ on the Lynx. We assume that although the extent of human kleptoparasitism is not such that it could lead to starvation of individual Lynx, it probably increases the predation rate of Lynx, which in turn leads to greater energy expenditure sustained during hunting and may also increase the con icts with hunters due to higher pressure on game species.
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An evaluation of structured snow-track surveys to monitor Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx populations
Wildlife Biology, 2007Co-Authors: John D. C. Linnell, John Odden, Peder Fiske, Henrik Brøseth, Ivar Herfindal, Reidar AndersenAbstract:Abstract Counts of tracks that passively accumulate on a suitable substrate are commonly used to derive indices of large carnivore abundance. In this study we evaluate the suitability of a similar survey using multiple 3-km long transect-lines to detect changes in population size for Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx in central Norway. We used GIS methods to simulate the crossing of transect lines by Lynx using real telemetry data from the study area. We compared the effect of transect-line placement (deliberate vs random), transect-line density, and the number of nights over which tracks can accumulate in the snow. For each scenario we evaluated both the probability of detecting Lynx that are present in the survey area, and the power of the index to detect changes between consecutive surveys. Deliberately placed lines performed significantly better than randomly placed lines, and as expected, increases in line density and the period of track accumulation improved the outcome. Using three nights of track accumulati...
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Distance rules for minimum counts of Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx family groups under different ecological conditions
Wildlife Biology, 2007Co-Authors: John D. C. Linnell, Peter Segerstrom, Reidar Andersen, John Odden, Krzysztof Schmidt, Tor Kvam, Olof Liberg, Henrik Brøseth, Henryk OkarmaAbstract:Abstract Monitoring of Lynx Lynx Lynx populations in Scandinavia is largely based around unreplicated minimum counts of family groups, i.e. adult females with dependent kittens. When observations cannot be separated from each other on the basis of back-tracking in the snow it is desirable to use a distance rule to separate observations of groups that are so far apart that they are unlikely to be derived from the same group. We have analysed radio-telemetry derived movement data from five study areas, corresponding to three ecologically different regions, in Scandinavia, and included data from Poland for comparison. We derive examples of two different distance rules; one is a static rule based on home-range size and length which is suitable for observations accumulated during a whole winter, and the other is a dynamic rule suitable for observations collected within 1-7 days of each other. Because of inter-study area variation in home-range size and movement there is a need to use different rules in differe...
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selectivity of eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx and recreational hunters for age sex and body condition in roe deer capreolus capreolus
Wildlife Biology, 2007Co-Authors: Reidar Andersen, John D. C. Linnell, John Odden, Joorn Karlsen, Lars Bendik Austmo, Jean-michel GaillardAbstract:Abstract Data on the age, sex and condition of roe deer Capreolus capreolus killed by Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx and human hunters were collected in two study areas in the counties of Nord-Trondelag and Hedmark in central and southeastern Norway, respectively. Data on the age and sex structure of the standing population were also collected. No differences in the age or sex structure of roe deer killed by Lynx were found between the two study areas or between years with differing snow depths which was expected to affect age-class vulnerability. The profile of 151 Lynx-killed roe deer (24% adult males, 44% adult females, 11% male fawns and 21% female fawns) was not statistically different from that of the standing population. In contrast, hunters killed a significantly larger proportion of adult animals, especially males (44% adult males, 28% adult females, 15% male fawns and 13% female fawns). The detailed age structure of Lynx killed and hunter killed animals was not different within the adult age class. The...
Fridolin Zimmermann - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Spatial density estimates of Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx) in the French Jura and Vosges Mountains.
Ecology and evolution, 2019Co-Authors: Olivier Gimenez, Fridolin Zimmermann, Sylvain Gatti, Christophe Duchamp, Estelle Germain, Alain Laurent, Eric MarboutinAbstract:Obtaining estimates of animal population density is a key step in providing sound conservation and management strategies for wildlife. For many large carnivores however, estimating density is difficult because these species are elusive and wide-ranging. Here, we focus on providing the first density estimates of the Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx) in the French Jura and Vosges mountains. We sampled a total of 413 camera trapping sites (with two cameras per site) between January 2011 and April 2016 in seven study areas across seven counties of the French Jura and Vosges mountains. We obtained 592 Lynx detections over 19,035 trap days in the Jura mountains and 0 detection over 6,804 trap days in the Vosges mountains. Based on coat patterns, we identified a total number of 92 unique individuals from photographs, including 16 females, 13 males, and 63 individuals of unknown sex. Using spatial capture-recapture (SCR) models, we estimated abundance in the study areas between 5 (SE = 0.1) and 29 (0.2) Lynx and density between 0.24 (SE = 0.02) and 0.91 (SE = 0.03) Lynx per 100 km2. We also provide a comparison with nonspatial density estimates and discuss the observed discrepancies. Our study is yet another example of the advantage of combining SCR methods and noninvasive sampling techniques to estimate density for elusive and wide-ranging species, like large carnivores. While the estimated densities in the French Jura mountains are comparable to other Lynx populations in Europe, the fact that we detected no Lynx in the Vosges mountains is alarming. Connectivity should be encouraged between the French Jura mountains, the Vosges mountains, and the Palatinate Forest in Germany where a reintroduction program is currently ongoing. Our density estimates will help in setting a baseline conservation status for the Lynx population in France.
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Spatial density estimates of Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx) in the French Jura and Vosges Mountains
2019Co-Authors: Olivier Gimenez, Fridolin Zimmermann, Sylvain Gatti, Christophe Duchamp, Estelle Germain, Alain Laurent, Eric MarboutinAbstract:Obtaining estimates of animal population density is a key step in providing sound conservation and management strategies for wildlife. For many large carnivores however, estimating density is difficult because these species are elusive and wide-ranging. Here, we focus on providing the first density estimates of the Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx) in the French Jura and Vosges mountains. We sampled a total of 413 camera trapping sites (with 2 cameras per site) between January 2011 and April 2016 in seven study areas across seven counties of the French Jura and Vosges mountains. We obtained 592 Lynx detections over 19,035 trap days in the Jura mountain and 0 detection over 6,804 trap days in the Vosges mountain. Based on coat patterns, we identified a total number of 92 unique individuals from photographs, including 16 females, 13 males and 63 individuals of unknown sex. Using spatial capture-recapture (SCR) models, we estimated abundance in the study areas between 5 (SE = 0.1) and 29 (0.2) Lynx and density between 0.24 (SE = 0.02) and 0.91 (SE = 0.03) Lynx per 100 km2. We also provide a comparison with non-spatial density estimates and discuss the expected discrepancies. Our study is yet another example of the advantage of combining SCR methods and non-invasive sampling techniques to estimate density for elusive and wide-ranging species, like large carnivores. While the estimated densities in the French Jura mountain are comparable to other Lynx populations in Europe, the fact that we detected no Lynx in the Vosges mountain is alarming. Connectivity should be encouraged between the French Jura mountain, the Vosges mountain and the Palatinate Forest in Germany where a reintroduction program is currently ongoing. Our density estimates will help in setting a baseline conservation status for the Lynx population in France.
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Robust monitoring of the Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx in the Slovak Carpathians reveals lower numbers than officially reported
Oryx, 2017Co-Authors: Jakub Kubala, Fridolin Zimmermann, Christine Breitenmoser-würsten, Peter Smolko, Robin Rigg, Branislav Tám, Tomáš Iľko, Danilo Foresti, Rudolf Kropil, Urs BreitenmoserAbstract:The Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx population in the Carpathian Mountains is considered to be one of the best preserved and largest in Europe and hence is a source for past and current reintroduction projects in central Europe. However, its status in Slovakia has been reported to the European Commission on the basis of hunters´ reports and expert estimates that have never been validated by a robust scientific approach. We conducted the first camera-trapping surveys to estimate the density of Eurasian Lynx in Slovakia by means of spatial capture–recapture models in two reference areas during 2011–2015. We estimated population density per 100 km2 of suitable Lynx habitat (posterior SD) as 0.58 ± SD 0.13 independent individuals (adults and subadults) in the Stiavnica Mountains and 0.81 ± SD 0.29 in Veľka Fatra National Park and surroundings. These are the lowest densities estimated using spatial capture–recapture models so far reported for the species, suggesting the Lynx population in Slovakia is below carrying capacity. We suspect that low densities may be attributable to undetected human-caused mortality. Our results imply that official game statistics are substantially overestimated. Moreover, the Lynx population in Slovakia may not be at favourable conservation status as required by the EU Habitats Directive. We therefore call for a thorough assessment of the density and trend of the Slovak Carpathian Lynx population, and the establishment of a scientifically robust monitoring system.
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Population assessment of Himalayan Lynx (Lynx Lynx isabellinus) and conflict with humans in the Hindu Kush mountain range of District Chitral, Pakistan
2015Co-Authors: Jaffar Ud Din, Fridolin Zimmermann, Muhammad Ali, Khurshid Ali Shah, Muhammad Ayub, Siraj KhanAbstract:This paper is the first-ever attempt to outline the interaction of Himalayan Lynx (Lynx Lynx isabellinus) with humans and its abundance measured through motion triggered camera traps in Hindu Kush Mountain Range of District Chitral, Pakistan. The study was undertaken in December-January, 2011 for a period of 35 days with a total trap days of 770 resulting the corroboration of the sporadic occurrence of Lynx with a minimum population estimate of 6 individuals. High capture rate of human and livestock (90% of the total photos) exposes the immense human induced pressure on this fragile mountain ecosystem and ascribable to the dwindling population of the species in the region. Majority of the respondents (n=166: 90%) reckoned Lynx as the rare species. Human acceptance of Lynx was lower owing to the predation on livestock and thus was taken more dangerous with perceived danger per respondent of 35.77%. Although protected areas provide suitable habitat for the conservation of species but the non-capture of Lynx in the buffer zone highly suggestive that sound conservation measures are required to inflate the survival of the species outside the protected areas in the longer run.
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Scent-marking behaviour and social dynamics in a wild population of Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx
Behavioural processes, 2014Co-Authors: Kristina Vogt, Fridolin Zimmermann, Mathias Kölliker, Urs BreitenmoserAbstract:Scent-marking is widespread among mammals and has been observed in many felid species. Although the behaviour is well-described, little is known about its function in wild felid populations. We investigated patterns of scent-marking and its role in intra- and intersexual communication among resident and non-resident Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx by observing interactions among wild Lynx at natural marking sites by means of infrared camera traps. Marking activity of resident animals showed a peak during the mating season and was lowest during the time when females gave birth and lactated. Both sexes scent-marked, but male Lynx visited marking sites much more often than females and marked relatively more often when visiting a site. Most visits to marking sites were by residents but we also observed scent-marking by non-residents. Juveniles were never observed marking. We found no evidence of Lynx regularly renewing scent-marks after a certain ‘expiry date’ but the presence of a strange scent-mark triggered over-marking. Males responded similarly to the presence of another individual's scent-mark, irrespective of whether it was the top- or the underlying scent-mark in a mixture of scent-marks they encountered. Our results suggest that marking sites could serve as ‘chemical bulletin boards’, where male Lynx advertise their presence and gain information on ownership relationships in a given area. Females placed their urine marks on top of the ones left by resident males, but further studies are needed to explain the functions of over-marking in females.
Urs Breitenmoser - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Robust monitoring of the Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx in the Slovak Carpathians reveals lower numbers than officially reported
Oryx, 2017Co-Authors: Jakub Kubala, Fridolin Zimmermann, Christine Breitenmoser-würsten, Peter Smolko, Robin Rigg, Branislav Tám, Tomáš Iľko, Danilo Foresti, Rudolf Kropil, Urs BreitenmoserAbstract:The Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx population in the Carpathian Mountains is considered to be one of the best preserved and largest in Europe and hence is a source for past and current reintroduction projects in central Europe. However, its status in Slovakia has been reported to the European Commission on the basis of hunters´ reports and expert estimates that have never been validated by a robust scientific approach. We conducted the first camera-trapping surveys to estimate the density of Eurasian Lynx in Slovakia by means of spatial capture–recapture models in two reference areas during 2011–2015. We estimated population density per 100 km2 of suitable Lynx habitat (posterior SD) as 0.58 ± SD 0.13 independent individuals (adults and subadults) in the Stiavnica Mountains and 0.81 ± SD 0.29 in Veľka Fatra National Park and surroundings. These are the lowest densities estimated using spatial capture–recapture models so far reported for the species, suggesting the Lynx population in Slovakia is below carrying capacity. We suspect that low densities may be attributable to undetected human-caused mortality. Our results imply that official game statistics are substantially overestimated. Moreover, the Lynx population in Slovakia may not be at favourable conservation status as required by the EU Habitats Directive. We therefore call for a thorough assessment of the density and trend of the Slovak Carpathian Lynx population, and the establishment of a scientifically robust monitoring system.
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Scent-marking behaviour and social dynamics in a wild population of Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx
Behavioural processes, 2014Co-Authors: Kristina Vogt, Fridolin Zimmermann, Mathias Kölliker, Urs BreitenmoserAbstract:Scent-marking is widespread among mammals and has been observed in many felid species. Although the behaviour is well-described, little is known about its function in wild felid populations. We investigated patterns of scent-marking and its role in intra- and intersexual communication among resident and non-resident Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx by observing interactions among wild Lynx at natural marking sites by means of infrared camera traps. Marking activity of resident animals showed a peak during the mating season and was lowest during the time when females gave birth and lactated. Both sexes scent-marked, but male Lynx visited marking sites much more often than females and marked relatively more often when visiting a site. Most visits to marking sites were by residents but we also observed scent-marking by non-residents. Juveniles were never observed marking. We found no evidence of Lynx regularly renewing scent-marks after a certain ‘expiry date’ but the presence of a strange scent-mark triggered over-marking. Males responded similarly to the presence of another individual's scent-mark, irrespective of whether it was the top- or the underlying scent-mark in a mixture of scent-marks they encountered. Our results suggest that marking sites could serve as ‘chemical bulletin boards’, where male Lynx advertise their presence and gain information on ownership relationships in a given area. Females placed their urine marks on top of the ones left by resident males, but further studies are needed to explain the functions of over-marking in females.
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Fear of the unknown: local knowledge and perceptions of the Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx in western Macedonia
Oryx, 2011Co-Authors: Nicolas Lescureux, John D. C. Linnell, Sabit Mustafa, Dime Melovski, Aleksandar Stojanov, Gjorge Ivanov, Vasko Avukatov, Manuela Von Arx, Urs BreitenmoserAbstract:The remnant population of Balkan Lynx Lynx Lynx martinoi is small, isolated and highly threatened. Since 2006 a conservation project has surveyed its status and promoted its recovery in Albania and Macedonia. Eurasian Lynx are often associated with conflicts of an economic or social nature, and their conservation requires a focus on the people sharing the landscape with the species. In this study we adopt methods and conceptual frameworks from anthropology to explore the local knowledge and perceptions of Lynx among rural hunters and livestock breeders in the western mountains of the Republic of Macedonia in south-east Europe. The main finding was that local people rarely saw or interacted with Lynx. As the level of interactions with this species is very low, the Lynx doesn’t appear to be a species associated with conflicts in Macedonia. There was also a general lack of both scientific and local knowledge, which has led to somewhat negative attitudes, mainly based on myths and rumours. Poaching of Lynx and their prey seem to be the main barriers to Lynx conservation.
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Importance of dispersal for the expansion of a Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx population in a fragmented landscape
Oryx, 2007Co-Authors: Fridolin Zimmermann, Christine Breitenmoser-würsten, Urs BreitenmoserAbstract:Dispersal allows recolonization of previous areas of habitat following severe depression of a popu- lation but the significance of this is not clear in felids. There is little evidence to support the general belief that subadult felids will colonize new areas, although this is a crucial assumption in reintroduction or recovery projects. Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx were reintroduced into the Swiss Alps and have subsequently spread over part of their potential range but the expansion halted in the mid 1980s. We postulated that high Lynx densities would lead to an expansion of the population, and to assess the potential of this population to expand we compared the dispersal characteristics of 22 subadults from the north- west Swiss Alps, where an increase in Lynx abundance occurred from 1995 onwards, to 17 individuals from the Jura Mountains, an area with a lower Lynx density. Dispersal data came mainly from radio-telemetry. Dis- persal rates and distances for subadults that completed dispersal were lower in the north-west Swiss Alps than in the Jura Mountains. In general, subadults exhibited little ability to cross major barriers such as highways. The hypothesis that high density alone will foster the expansion of the population was therefore not confirmed. This has consequences for the reintroduction and recovery of carnivores in fragmented landscapes. To establish only one strong source population may not be an optimal strategy, and population nuclei should therefore be founded in several neighbouring patches.
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characterisation of eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx den sites and kitten survival
Wildlife Biology, 2007Co-Authors: Dominique Boutros, Christine Breitenmoserwursten, Fridolin Zimmermann, Andreas Ryser, Anja Molinarijobin, Simon Capt, Marcel Guntert, Urs BreitenmoserAbstract:Abstract We retrospectively investigated characteristics of den structures and den sites used by female Eurasian Lynx Lynx Lynx in the Jura Mountains and the northwestern Alps of Switzerland. During 1983-2000, we discovered 30 natal and 40 maternal dens belonging to 26 females. Important den structures were closed, i.e. provided good shelter, had few entrances, and measured 1 m2. Dens were found in rocky places, caves and wooden surroundings. Most dens were located in mixed forests with relatively open vegetation allowing for a visibility of 10-20 m. Contrary to our expectations, natal and maternal dens were equally exposed to human disturbance and were found in terrain which could be dangerous for the kittens. Overall, the two den types barely differed. While concealment did not seem to play a very important part at natal dens and while natal dens were almost never open structures, maternal dens were surrounded by a large number of hiding places and the dens and surroundings were rich in visual contrasts...
