# CON

Project Name: Care and Reintroduction of a Subadult Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx) in Croatia

Partners: Zagreb Zoo, Risnjak National Park (NP Risnjak), Public Institution Priroda (JU Priroda), Croatian Agency for the Environment and Nature (HAOP), University of Zagreb Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Energy, Vinodol Hunting Association, Bribir, Crikvenica Veterinary Clinic, Intervention Team for Wolves and Lynxes

Project Start: 2017

Status: Completed

Species: Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx)

IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC) globally

Status in Croatia (Red List): Critically Endangered (CR)

The rehabilitation project for a young, abandoned Eurasian lynx named Martin marked Croatia’s first successful reintroduction of this critically endangered animal into its natural habitat. This pioneering effort was accomplished through a collaborative partnership of various organizations and experts.

The project’s primary objective was to ensure a safe and gradual return of the lynx to the wild, preserving his ability to survive independently and preventing habituation to human presence.

Ex Situ Procedures: Care and Supervision in a Controlled Environment

When a local hunter found an abandoned lynx cub in the forest near Bribir, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Energy’s Intervention Team for Wolves and Lynxes coordinated the rescue. Martin was first transported to the veterinary clinic in Crikvenica for initial medical care, then transferred to Zagreb Zoo, where he could receive essential care and support during the critical early stages of rehabilitation.

At Zagreb Zoo, Martin was housed in specially designed indoor and outdoor enclosures simulating the lynx’s natural environment. A detailed isolation protocol was established to minimize human contact, a crucial step in preventing Martin from associating humans with food or safety—vital for his later independent life in the wild.

During his stay in this controlled environment, the team employed a no-contact feeding technique that used indirect methods to meet Martin’s nutritional needs, avoiding any association between humans and food. A video surveillance system allowed staff to monitor his health without direct interaction. Proper care and monitoring during this period ensured the lynx’s physical recovery while preserving his natural behaviors.

Preparing for Reintroduction: Enclosure Construction and Soft Release

After his recovery at Zagreb Zoo, Martin was relocated to NP Risnjak, where a specialized enclosure was constructed for a “soft release” process, allowing him to gradually adapt to outdoor conditions before returning to the wild.

This enclosure was designed according to indirect wildlife management protocols and equipped with a live prey supply system to encourage the young lynx’s natural hunting instincts. This approach reduced the chance of Martin developing dependence on humans or associating them with food, thereby increasing the likelihood of a successful reintroduction.

During his preparation for release, Martin was fitted with a GPS collar to enable experts to monitor his movements and behavior post-release.

In Situ Phase: Monitoring and Reintroduction Success

When Martin was released from his enclosure at NP Risnjak in early 2018, the active rehabilitation phase concluded, and in situ monitoring in the wild began. The GPS technology allowed detailed tracking of his movements, offering valuable insights into his adjustment to his natural habitat and movement patterns. The data confirmed a successful adaptation: Martin avoided human settlements and settled into forested areas of Gorski Kotar and Slovenia, confirming that the project had preserved his natural instincts and wild behavior.

Legacy and National Collaboration

This project established a foundation for future lynx conservation efforts in Croatia. The protocols and methodologies developed by the experts involved in Martin’s rehabilitation serve as a template for future lynx care and reintroduction efforts.

This landmark project highlighted how the synergy of scientific, technical, and practical expertise can preserve Croatia’s natural heritage and set new standards for the rehabilitation and reintroduction of wildlife in the country

Summary:

The project for the care and reintroduction of an abandoned Eurasian lynx cub is the first successful project of its kind in Croatia. It established standards for lynx rehabilitation and release with minimal human contact, preserving their natural instincts and behaviors for survival in the wild.