Lynx Janus released into the wild

The lynx population support project in the Kalkalpen National Park has been hanging by a thread for several years. The insufficient genetic diversity of the current, small lynx population is already leaving its mark. The closely related lynxes are not producing any offspring.

For this reason, the young lynx calf Janus was released into the wild in the Kalkalpen National Park in the early hours of this morning. He is a lynx with Carpathian DNA and will provide for offspring in the coming years.

Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler: "Lynx Janus is making his way into the wild - a young lynx from the Carpathian region that will contribute to the much-needed genetic diversity in the Kalkalpen National Park . In a sensitive ecosystem in which every species plays an important role, he will help to preserve the natural balance."

Lynx Janus is a purebred Carpathian lynx, was born on May 22, 2023 and grew up in a near-natural enclosure in the wildcat village of Hütscheroda in the municipality of Hörselberg-Hainich in Thuringia. He spent the last few months in a shielded release enclosure. There he was prepared for life in the wild without human contact. After passing the final behavioral tests with flying colors, Janus was placed with the Kalkalpen National Park by the internationally active Linking Lynx Sourcing Working Group. Linking Lynx is a network of experts involved in the conservation, monitoring and management of the Carpathian lynx. The European breeding program for the lynx is managed by the EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria).

After thorough examinations and a flawless blood test, young lynx Janus was brought to Austria in a night drive. He was accompanied by Dr. Katrin Vogel from the Wildcat Village Hütscheroda, veterinarian Dr. Szilvia Kalogeropoulu from the Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna as well as DI Christian Fuxjäger and Josef Schürhagel from the Kalkalpen National Park.

LHStv. Dr. Manfred Haimbuchner: "The replacement of lynx Norik is a further step in the three-stage plan to permanently secure a sustainable lynx population in southern Upper Austria".

Dr. Katrin Vogel (Managing Director of BUND-Wildkatzendorf Hütscheroda): "I am delighted that Janus is now strengthening the lynx population in the Limestone Alps and hopefully helping to further connect Europe's lynx population. He is now the seventh animal from our offspring to be released into the wild in Germany, Austria and Italy."

National Park Director Forstinger would especially like to thank the LUKA working group, which has been meeting since 2008 and brings together all interested parties. Its work was an important contribution to making this support possible.

Please address any queries to:

National Park Director DI Josef Forstinger
josef.forstinger@kalkalpen.at
Phone +43 7584 3951 or +43 664 88342374