Triplet birth among lynxes in Schönbrunn Zoo – a glimmer of hope!

Triplet birth among lynxes in Schönbrunn Zoo – a glimmer of hope!

There is currently a special reason to be happy at Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna: the lynx pair gave birth to three healthy young animals here in mid-May. These triplets each weighed around 300 grams when they were born, were blind and dependent on their mother's care. How meinkreis.at reports, the little big cats are now spending their first weeks of life in a protective hut and are now showing their curiosity in the forest enclosure. Zoo director Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck highlights the lively behavior of the triplets, who are clearly having fun exploring their new surroundings.

This birth not only represents a gratifying moment for the zoo, but is also a significant contribution to the European Endangered Species Program (EEP), which works to protect and conserve endangered species. The lynx pair was regrouped last year: the female originally came from Riga, while the previous female moved to Gdańsk. According to estimates, there are currently only around 35 Eurasian lynxes left in Austria. Their existence is seriously endangered.

Challenges for the lynxes

The endangerment of the Eurasian lynx has several causes. Since their extinction in Germany in the 17th century and the dramatic decline in their distribution in Europe in the mid-20th century, intensive protection measures and reintroduction programs have become essential. Humans are not only competitors for food, but also a direct enemy, as hunting, traffic and illegal shooting further endanger the lynx. Comprehensive information is necessary to dispel misunderstandings and prejudices about the shy animals. The lynxes are true loners and require quiet, extensive forest areas and an adequate supply of food to thrive.

The situation is particularly critical for the Balkan lynx, a subspecies of the Eurasian lynx, of which it is estimated that there are fewer than 50 individuals left in the mountain forests of the southern Balkans. The EuroNatur organization is committed to protecting these lynx species and cooperates with partner organizations in Switzerland and southeastern Europe to promote valuable knowledge about lynxes and to secure their habitats.

Hope for the future

Although the conditions for wolves and lynxes are challenging, there is hope. The federal association BUND in Germany has already initiated successful resettlement projects that are also bearing fruit in the Palatinate. A viable lynx population is already on the way in the Palatinate Forest/Northern Vosges Biosphere Reserve. All of these efforts are important to return the lynx to their habitat in the long term and ensure that they can not only survive, but also thrive.

The birth in Schönbrunn Zoo is a wonderful example of how important contributions are made to species conservation. The hope remains that such successes can also be achieved in the wild and that the Eurasian lynx will no longer be considered endangered in the future.