Manuela von Arx,

CROSS-BORDER LYNX CONSERVATION IN ALBANIA, FYROM, MONTENEGRO & KOSOVO

The Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme

CROSS-BORDER LYNX CONSERVATION IN ALBANIA, FYROM, MONTENEGRO & KOSOVO

The Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme

Regional Workshop of the EU Platform on Coexistence between People and Large Carnivores, Pravets BG, 18.04.2015

1. The Balkan Lynx

2. The Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme

3. Main achievements

4. Main drawbacks

5. Outlook

Buresh 1941: Lynx lynx balcanicus

Mirić 1978: Lynx lynx martinoi

What is the „Balkan lynx“?

Balkan lynx holotype

Balkans

Carpathian Mts

Finland/Baltics

Asia Scandinavia

~ 2’300 (LC)

~ 40 (CR)

1. Balkan Lynx 2. BLRP 3. Achievements 4. Drawbacks 5. Outlook

National Workshops 21.-23. April 2005, Mavrovo 25.-26. April 2005, Tirana

1. Workshop Albania-FYROM

15.-17. November 2005 Mavrovo NP

1. Balkan Lynx 2. BLRP 3. Achievements 4. Drawbacks 5. Outlook

Environmentally Responsible Action (ERA)

group

since 2013:

since 2006:

1. Balkan Lynx 2. BLRP 3. Achievements 4. Drawbacks 5. Outlook

The Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme

Main support:

Macedonian Ecological Society

Center for Protection and Research of Birds of Montenegro

Public Enterprise for the National Parks of Montenegro

Improve site protection and habitat recovery

Promote sustainable hunting and adequate wildlife management

Establish a monitoring system for lynx and its main prey species

1. Balkan Lynx 2. BLRP 3. Achievements 4. Drawbacks 5. Outlook

Objectives of the current Phase (2013-2015):

Enlarge activities to Kosovo and Montenegro

Strengthen capacity of and collaboration between local stakeholders

1. Balkan Lynx 2. BLRP 3. Achievements 4. Drawbacks 5. Outlook

Objectives of the current Phase (2013-2015):

Improve communciation and outreach

1. Balkan Lynx 2. BLRP 3. Achievements 4. Drawbacks 5. Outlook

Main achievements

Capacity development

Improved knowledge about Balkan lynx

1. Balkan Lynx 2. BLRP 3. Achievements 4. Drawbacks 5. Outlook

Main achievements

~ 12

~ 5

1. Balkan Lynx 2. BLRP 3. Achievements 4. Drawbacks 5. Outlook

March 2015, Bjeshket e Nemuna Kosovo

1. Balkan Lynx 2. BLRP 3. Achievements 4. Drawbacks 5. Outlook

Main achievements

Monitoring networks

1. Balkan Lynx 2. BLRP 3. Achievements 4. Drawbacks 5. Outlook

Main achievements

Regional Conservation Strategy

1. Balkan Lynx 2. BLRP 3. Achievements 4. Drawbacks 5. Outlook

Main achievements

Cross-border summer schools

1. Balkan Lynx 2. BLRP 3. Achievements 4. Drawbacks 5. Outlook

Main achievements

Outreach

1. Balkan Lynx 2. BLRP 3. Achievements 4. Drawbacks 5. Outlook

No evidence of lynx in the Albanian Alps

No evidence yet of lynx in the Shar Mts. & sabotage/stealing of most of the camera-traps in Kosovo Sharri NP region

No pictures anymore in recent years in Jasen and Shebenik-Jablanica

Main drawbacks

No lynx presence (anymore?)

1. Balkan Lynx 2. BLRP 3. Achievements 4. Drawbacks 5. Outlook

Main drawbacks

Main threats still remain…

1. Balkan Lynx 2. BLRP 3. Achievements 4. Drawbacks 5. Outlook

…and further potential threats turn up

Main drawbacks

1. Balkan Lynx 2. BLRP 3. Achievements 4. Drawbacks 5. Outlook

Engagement of national authorities

Main drawbacks

• Higher priority for nature conservation on national agendas

• Commitments of governmental institutions

1. Balkan Lynx 2. BLRP 3. Achievements 4. Drawbacks 5. Outlook

Outlook

Ivanov 2014

1. Balkan Lynx 2. BLRP 3. Achievements 4. Drawbacks 5. Outlook

Further information:

http://www.catsg.org/balkanlynx or the websites of the BLRP partner organisations

https://www.facebook.com/balkanlynx