Some predators can “confuse” even experienced foresters
The actual population of lynxes in Ukraine – the largest cat of the Carpathians – may be significantly smaller than the “official statistics.”
This was stated in an interview with RBC-Ukraine by zoologist, Antarctic expedition participant, and project manager for “Rare Species” at the World Wildlife Fund WWF-Ukraine Igor Diky.
Also read: Lynx without borders: camera traps in the Carpathians captured a “hyperactive” predator
Why lynxes might cross “borders”
The expert noted that currently, the lynx – the largest cat of the Carpathians – is in its mating season.
“They are moving actively, and can cover more than 20 kilometers,” Diky shared.
He clarified that specialists track the animals using camera traps.
“And we see that some males are crossing from us into Slovakia and Poland. Then they return,” the zoologist stated.
Is the exact number of these predators known in Ukraine?
According to some official estimates, there are currently about 400 lynxes in the Carpathians. About 100 more inhabit the Polissya region.
At the same time, Diky admitted that these are merely “conditional figures.”
“We are currently in the process of determining the real population size,” the specialist added.
He explained that previously “each gamekeeper counted individuals in their territory.”
“Now we have concluded that synchronous monitoring is necessary because the lynx travels many kilometers, crossing different territories. There is a risk of counting the same individual multiple times,” the zoologist explained.
Therefore, according to him, “the data on 500 lynxes is approximate.”
Why the number of animals might be exaggerated
Diky reported that specialists are currently conducting “deterministic monitoring of the lynx in Uzhansky National Nature Park – in the area of the so-called trilateral transboundary reserve (protected area between Ukraine, Slovakia, and Poland).”
“We discovered that several males constantly move between these territories during the season in search of females,” the scientist shared.
He added that if these animals did not have “passports” (photographs of their markings from both sides of their bodies), one might think that “we have many lynxes.”
In other words, the same individual could be counted multiple times.
“But in fact, it is only three male lynxes that constantly migrate in search of a female and leave traces everywhere,” Diky explained.
According to him, it is also common for “foresters to count lynxes using the old method – by tracks in the snow.”
“In reality, it could be that the same male is marking the territory. As a result, it may turn out that there are not 500 lynxes in Ukraine, but rather 250-300,” the expert concluded.
Recall that we previously reported that a lynx from the Red Book was spotted in Lviv region.
Additionally, we explained why the “season of silence” begins in Ukraine in April.
Also read about what to do if you encounter a lynx in the Carpathians.
