Eurasian lynx
Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is currently the only wild cat species in the Czech Republic. It is the most numerous of our large carnivores: about 50 – 70 animals live in the Bohemian Forest following the successful reintroduction programme in the 1980s; another 10 – 15 lynx permanently inhabit the Beskydy and Javorníky Mts. near the Slovak border. Despite the suitable conditions in other mountain areas, the lynx only sporadically occur there.
The main factor preventing the expansion of the species is poaching. Habitat fragmentation and low landscape permeability also lead to higher mortality and decreased genetic diversity of isolated populations.
The Eurasian lynx is a protected species under the European and national legislation.
Photo: Karel Brož
Current distribution of the lynx in the Czech Republic (edited according to Červený et al., 2005)
Grey areas show the permanent distribution of lynx – locations with occasional and irregular occurrence of the species are also marked
