Nikola Chavkosk
Well-Known Member
Balkan lynx (Lynx lynx balcanicus) is a critically endangered subspecies of Eurasian lynx, although there were controversies whether it may belong to sepparate species from Eurasian lynx. Found in Western parts of R. Macedonia, Eastern Albania, Southwestern Kosovo and part of Eastern Montenegro, it is believed than fewer than 50 individuals are left in the wild (the biggest part in R. Macedonia - about 30), and none in captivity.
This lynx is quite big, with more amber color (between gold and orange) of the fur and with less-defined spots than most Eurasian lynxes or than Iberian lynx.
There are efforts to conserve this (sub)species in situ, including the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme ( The Balkan Lynx Conservation Compendium ) and collaboration between ecologists between countries. Several lynx have been captured and radiocollared in the last 5-10 years in mountain parts (wich are subtropical to subalpine) of Western R. Macedonia, and have been taken footages of lynxes from the wild.
It is uncertain whether this lynx have ever been kept in a zoo, but in the past most probably it was kept in Skopje zoo at least, since Skopje zoo dates from 1926 and had (and have) lynxes at many occasions. Plus there are some national wild animal reserves that can send injured or orphaned wild animals in zoos (mostly brown bears).
The main reasons because population is struggling to survive are:
-Fragmentation of population and population with low genetic diversity
-Lack of food (wild pray animals)
-Hunting (wich is completely illegal and banned)
Some nice photos of this elusive cat (including some captures in situ and radiocollaring) can be found on google. I have never photographed this cat
Contrary to Balkan lynx, population of some wild animals in R. Macedonia are thriving (like Gray wolf or golden jackal).
This lynx is quite big, with more amber color (between gold and orange) of the fur and with less-defined spots than most Eurasian lynxes or than Iberian lynx.
There are efforts to conserve this (sub)species in situ, including the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme ( The Balkan Lynx Conservation Compendium ) and collaboration between ecologists between countries. Several lynx have been captured and radiocollared in the last 5-10 years in mountain parts (wich are subtropical to subalpine) of Western R. Macedonia, and have been taken footages of lynxes from the wild.
It is uncertain whether this lynx have ever been kept in a zoo, but in the past most probably it was kept in Skopje zoo at least, since Skopje zoo dates from 1926 and had (and have) lynxes at many occasions. Plus there are some national wild animal reserves that can send injured or orphaned wild animals in zoos (mostly brown bears).
The main reasons because population is struggling to survive are:
-Fragmentation of population and population with low genetic diversity
-Lack of food (wild pray animals)
-Hunting (wich is completely illegal and banned)
Some nice photos of this elusive cat (including some captures in situ and radiocollaring) can be found on google. I have never photographed this cat
Contrary to Balkan lynx, population of some wild animals in R. Macedonia are thriving (like Gray wolf or golden jackal).
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