Description: [Redaktioneller Hinweis: Die folgende Beschreibung ist eine unstrukturierte Extraktion aus dem originalem PDF] LIFE LUCHS Pfälzerwald Project Report 2015 – 2021 Funded by: © L. Geselin RETURN 01 LIFE LYNX The Palatinate Forest: vast forests, few roads, little settlement © M. Schäf impressive rock formations © R. Krotofil Large parts of the transboundary Palatinate Forest and Northern Vosges UNESCO Biosphere Reserve are desi- gnated as Natura 2000 protected areas. Natura 2000 is an EU-wide network of protected areas for the conser- vation of threatened or typical habitats and species. The network makes an important contribution to protecting biodiversity in Europe. 02 of the lynx The LIFE project was launched in 2015 and ended in September 2021. A total of 20 lynx were captured in the Slovakian Carpathians and Switzerland with the help of authorities and local institutions and relocated to the Palatinate Forest. Taking animals from various different areas ensured the genetic diversity of the founder po- pulation. After extensive preparations, the first three lynx were released in the summer of 2016. By March 2020, a total of twelve females and eight males had been re- located to the Palatinate Forest. GPS tracking collars were put on the lynx before they were released. The collars transmit the animals‘ positions over a period of one to two years. This made it possible to follow the movements of the released lynx and to monitor them during the acclimatisation period. The first lynx kittens were born in the Palatinate Forest just one year after the first releases. Lynx cubs have been documented every year since then. As at September 2021, nine litters have been recorded with at least 18 kittens, and there may have been more. Swiss lynx LYCKA during her release into the Palatinate Forest © C. Arens - KLICKFaszination one of the three cubs of the lynx MALA, 2019 © SNU LIFE is a European funding instrument for the environ- ment. „LIFE nature“ co-finances projects to restore and conserve threatened natural habitats and to protect endangered species within the Natura 2000 network. Palatinate Forest Together with the Northern Vosges in France over an area of 3000 km², Germany‘s largest contiguous area of forest, the Palatinate Forest, is home to many different plant and animal species. Rocky outcrops, different fo- rest types and open valleys are characteristic habitats. The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) was once native to this region. However, the destruction of habitats and the hunting and killing of lynx led to the almost complete extinction of the species in Central Europe in the 19th century. Current acceptance of the large predator and the recovery of its habitats are now allowing its return. However, lynx usually only settle permanently where they can connect with conspecifics, i.e. in areas where there are already other lynx. This very passive dispersal behaviour means that lynx are less likely to repopulate suitable habitats on their own: they need the help of humans to return to their original distribution areas. quiet stream valleys © M. Schäf Together with the Parc naturel régional des Vosges du Nord (Northern Vosges Regional Nature Parc), SYCO- PARC, Landesforsten Rheinland-Pfalz (State Forest Au- thority of Rhineland-Palatinate) and WWF Germany, the Stiftung Natur und Umwelt Rheinland-Pfalz (Foundation for Nature and Environment of Rhineland Palatinate) ran an EU LIFE project to reintroduce lynx. The aim of the project was to establish a new lynx population in the Palatinate Forest and Northern Vosges Biosphere Re- serve that would in the long term spread and link up with other lynx populations. beautiful landscapes © M. Hanke The lynx represents extensive, unfragmented and natural forest habitats. As a large predator, it is an important part of the forest ecosystem. The first cubs were born in 2017: FILOU and PALU. © A. Sommer health check of a captured lynx © DIANA Decisions worked out together lead to mutual acceptance. © SNU Lynx like to use forest paths for roaming through the woods. © FAWF 03 04 © A. Sommer For the rare lynx attacks on farm animals, the State of Rhineland-Palatinate set up a fund to provide 100% compensation for the loss of an animal or 100% funding for possible prevention material. A network of volunteer helpers is in place to assist farmers with practical im- plementation. Systematic use of camera traps in a 1000 km² reference area in the Palatina- te Forest recorded a density of approx. 0.5 independent lynx per 100 km² towards the end of the project. Within the timescale of the project, the lynx spread to large parts of the Palatinate Forest and the Northern Vosges, and also to neighbouring areas such as the Donnersberg, the Westrich and, on the French side, the Central Vosges. These are important steps in the establishment of the new lynx population. „Lynx Parliament“ In addition to the actual translocation of lynx, the project also included a wide range of other measures. These included comprehensive consultation with the stakehol- ders involved. After around 200 years without a lynx po- pulation in Rhineland-Palatinate, hunters and livestock (sheep, goat and game) farmers in particular were un- sure about the return of the large carnivore as it could personally affect them. That is why the LIFE project set up a transboundary project advisory body, the „Lynx Parliament“, before any lynx were relocated. The Parlia- ment had representatives of all interest groups, authori- ties and institutions from the region. Together, they dis- cussed the expected or feared impact of reintroduction, how best to protect flocks, compensation measures, and identified topics where research might be needed. Specific, practical questions regarding reintroduction were examined, and existing regulations and proce- dures were regularly reviewed on the basis of current events and adapted if necessary. The Parliament also explored the potential that lynx and the reintroduction project offered for the region, tourism and nature in the biosphere reserve. The direct exchange of information and the participatory processes in the Lynx Parliament built trust, appreciation and better understanding bet- ween participants and thus also led to greater accep- tance of the acceptance of the lynx.. 6% ON THE TRAIL THE FRANCO–GERMAN electrification of a pasture fence © SNU 2% 1% 7% of the lynx... For acceptance and public relations work, it is essential to be able to provide reliable information on the lynx‘s whereabouts, behaviour and range of prey, for example. Lynx are solitary and establish territories covering bet- ween 50 and 400 km². To obtain reliable data, there was comprehensive monitoring of the new lynx popula- tion with measures including GPS tracking collars and camera traps. The camera traps allowed researchers to follow the development of the young and the lynx that were no longer wearing tracking collars in parti- cular. Lynx have their own individual coat patterns and can therefore often be clearly identified in photographs. Photographs can thus provide information on populati- on development and on the distribution of the animals. The results of monitoring were regularly published on the project homepage to make them publicly available. 82% roe deer red deer fox mufflon marten wild boar hare (n=205)* as per May 2021 Since lynx return to their kill several nights in a row, GPS data made it possible to search for large prey. In the Palatinate Forest, roe deer were the lynx‘s main prey, accounting for about 80%. Many reports about lynx come from the public. In Rhi- neland-Palatinate, there is therefore a network of large carnivore correspondents who are available as local contact people and who follow up on reports. As part of the LIFE project, these volunteers were given practi- cal training about lynx and the network was expanded. The volunteers are important multipliers in the dissemi- nation of information and their work contributes to the protection of the lynx, for targeted protection and ma- nagement of the animals is only possible when all data are combined and collated. control of a roe deer kill © SNU Hunters and foresters in particular, and also visitors to the forest, can provide important information about prey killed and about lynx kittens. The State of Rhineland- Palatinate offers an expense allowance for reports ba- cked up with evidence. THE LYNX local contact people The paw prints of lynx are cir- cular and usually don’t show any claw marks. © SNU The typical features of lynx: Tufted ears, spotted coat, paw prints and beard-resembling ruff. 06 perspective Franco-German public relations work as part of the LIFE project ranged from information events and discussions on the ground to the provision of material specifically for hunters and livestock farmers, and extensive press work. The primary objective of the public relations work was to convey a realistic and fact-based image of the lynx. Regular events were held in partnership with hun- ting and livestock associations. Locals and visitors can now explore the Palatinate Forest from a lynx‘s per- spective thanks to a specially created „lynx trail“ in the Dahner Felsenland area and six different geocache rou- tes across the Palatinate Forest. training event for educators © Zoo Landau recovery enclosure for injured lynx © SNU CARING 05 LYNX VOLUNTEERS: © O. Anders for lynx in emergencies An enclosure for lynx was built at the VIER PFOTEN TIERART wildlife rescue centre in Maßweiler to provide proper care for sick or injured lynx and lynx orphans, and allow them to be released back into the wild whe- rever possible. This will ensure professional and appro- priate treatment and temporary shelter for lynx until their recovery, even after the end of the LIFE project. joint „Lynx Festival“ of school classes © SYCOPARC A Franco-German environmental education program- me „Œil de lynx - Luchsauge“ („Lynx eyes“) was offered for school classes. Through experiential learning and projects developed and implemented by the children themselves, pupils engaged with the topic of lynx and the animal‘s return to the region. Their imaginative work was presented at annual „lynx festivals“. More than 2,400 children learned about lynx in this way within a period of six years. The environmental education folder „Rückkehr der Pinselohren“ („The Return of the Lynx“), produced as part of the project, offers education professionals and other interested parties a wealth of information on lynx reintroduction, and includes a range of lesson ideas for sharing that knowledge in an age-appropriate way. To- gether with various professional development events, this firmly and permanently established the topic of lynx in teaching on the environment at various institutions within the biosphere reserve. Pupils perform a play about the life of lynx. © SNU © A. Prüssing / SNU CONNECTING Wildlife bridges help to cross major roads safely. © SNU Germany Corresponds approxi- mately to the territory size of a lynx lynx populations One considerable problem for lynx and many other species is the fragmentation of their habitats by major transport routes and large-scale settlements. These obstacles separate animals from each other and po- pulations remain small and isolated. If lynx only have contact with conspecifics in their immediate environ- ment, the likelihood of inbreeding and therefore genetic erosion increases. In the long run, this leads to disease and reduces adaptability. Added to this are direct losses as a result of road traffic. Links such as migration corridors and wildlife crossings are therefore important. There are already two green bridges in the Palatinate Forest that are frequently used by lynx. If we protect our forests and reduce habitat fragmentation, we will enable populations of lynx, as well as many other species, to link up and survive in the long term. The LIFE project drew up habitat connection guidelines („Leitfaden Vernetzung“) to further facilitate the connection of forest areas in Rhineland-Palatinate. Cross-border collaboration under the umbrella of the Upper Rhine Conference has advanced the model of a transboundary lynx population in France, Switzerland and Germany. WHAT HAS THE LIFE PROJECT ACHIEVED? 07 08 After LIFE: what happens next Measures implemented as part of the LIFE project „Reintroduction of Lynx (Lynx lynx carpathicus) in the Palatinate Forest Biosphere Reserve“ („Wiederansied- lung von Luchsen (Lynx lynx carpathicus) im Biosphä- renreservat Pfälzerwald“) have successfully led to the establishment of a new population nucleus in the Palati- nate Forest. Lynx have now bred in the biosphere reser- ve for the first time in more than 200 years. They have also spread into most parts of the Palatinate Forest, the neighbouring Northern Vosges and beyond. The „Lynx Parliament“, which brought together all groups of stakeholders – both within and across na- tional borders – was a constructive voice throughout the reintroduction process and actively contributed to project implementation. The ongoing exchange based on mutual respect and listening was fundamental to the success of reintroduction and is to be continued in the future. Intensive and targeted environmental education and public relations work and the involvement of local stake- holders helped to increase appreciation for and know- ledge of the lynx and its habitat in the Palatinate Forest and Northern Vosges Biosphere Reserve. A large num- ber of long-term environmental education programmes were established. The reintroduction of lynx to the Palatinate Forest could in the long term help to connect the separate lynx po- pulations in Germany, France and Switzerland. Excursi- ons by individual lynx and the use of wildlife crossings demonstrate the potential for linking up with other populations. The new population nucleus represents an important contribution to maintaining intraspecific genetic diversity and providing migrating lynx with the opportunity to connect with conspecifics. A population in the Palatinate Forest is facilitating the colonisation of other low mountain ranges in Rhineland-Palatinate. The positive experiences from the reintroduction project can be drawn upon for similar projects. Rocks are a welcome view- point for lynx. © A. Sommer More information on the LIFE project can be found on the project homepage at https://luchs-rlp.de. A range of project publications are available for download there. The new Lynx and Wolf Coordination Centre (“Koordi- nationszentrum für Luchs und Wolf”, KLuWo) at the re- search institute for forest ecology and forestry (FAWF) in Trippstadt will continue to oversee monitoring of the lynx population and will now also work on questions of herd and flock protection and public relations/acceptance. It will also organise management of the lynx populati- on in consultation with Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Climate Protection, Environment, Energy and Mobility (MKUEM). Contact details: kluwo@wald-rlp.de. Lynx like to balance on tree trunks. © A. Sommer
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Tags: Main ? Luchs ? Mufflon ? Pfälzerwald ? Rheinland-Pfalz ? Habitat ? Tierart ? Zoo ? Natura-2000 ? Öffentlichkeitsarbeit ?
License: Alle Rechte vorbehalten
Language: Deutsch
Time ranges: 2021-01-01 - 2021-12-31
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