The lynx population in the Dinaric-SE Alpine region was at risk of extinction due to inbreeding and shrinking numbers. Without urgent action, this iconic species could have disappeared from the area.
Fresh genetic diversity and strong public support, especially from local communities and hunters, were needed to save it.
The LIFE Lynx project brought new hope. By relocating healthy lynx from the Carpathians, the project helped restore the population’s genetic health. It also built trust through community engagement, especially with hunters, and raised awareness about the lynx’s role in the ecosystem. Now, the population is stabilising, and the project stands as a model for cross-border species recovery in Europe.
