MYSŁAJEK, R. W., STACHYRA, P., FIGURA, M. & NOWAK, S. (2021)
Food habits of the Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx in southeast Poland.
J. of Vertebrate Biology, 71(21061):21061.1-7 (2021). https://doi.org/10.25225/jvb.21061
Abstract:
We studied diet and prey preferences of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) inhabiting south-east Poland, based on kills found during GPS-GSM telemetry and opportunistic winter tracking. Among 64 lynx kills were roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) (91%), red deer (Cervus elaphus) (3%) and brown hare (Lepus europaeus) (6%). From the ungulate community, lynx selected roe deer (D = 0.845) and avoided all other ungulates. We recorded one case of surplus and two cases of parallel killing. Lynx visited the same killed roe deer on average for 2.3 days, and for up to six days when surplus or parallel killing occurred. High numbers of the roe deer in south-east Poland supports the persistence of the lynx, but we urge managers to take under consideration food requirements of the lynx when planning game management.
myslajek-biblio
SKORUPSKI, J., TRACZ, M., TRACZ, M. & ŚMIETANAL, P. (2022)
Assessment of Eurasianlynx reintroduction success and mortality risk in north‑west Poland.
Scientific Reports (2022) 12:12366. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-16589-2www.nature.com/scientificreports
Abstract:
Despite recent local reintroductions of the Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx in central and north‑eastern Poland, the increase in its population was not followed by its westward expansion. To address this problem and restore the lynx population in north‑western Poland, 61 captive‑born individuals of Baltic population origin were released in the province of Western Pomerania in 2019–2021. Prior to their release, all the animals underwent an adaptation training phase. They were then set free according to a hard‑release protocol and subsequently monitored by means of GPS telemetry. In order to assess the short‑term reintroduction success, the survival and causes of death of the released individuals were studied as a function of sex, age, training time, and release time and place. The overall survival rate was 71.15%, the median survival time 202 days. Most mortality, due to environmental factors, i.e. scabies (> 200 days) or traffic collisions (< 200 days), was recorded during the first 300 days following release. Age, year of release and training time were significantly related to survival, indicating that the older the lynx was when released, the better its survival changes. In contrast, the longer the training time, the poorer were the chances of survival. There was no evidence of any effect of sex, month of release or place of release. Based on these results, recommendations were made for the planning of further releases and measures to manage the restored population.
skorpski-biblio
FRANZ, K. W. & ROMANOWSKI, J. (2021)
Revisiting the reintroduced Eurasian lynx population in Kampinos National Park, Poland.
The European Zoological Journal 88(1): 966-979. https://doi.org/10.1080/24750263.2021.1968046
Abstract:
In the past centuries, many of the Eurasian lynx populations declined and finally disappeared. In Poland, only two populations survived until the 20th century. In the 90s a new population was reintroduced in central Poland but presently, its fate is considered uncertain. While the recurring observations of lynx in the area confirm its presence, they are insufficient to evaluate the state of this population. Therefore, using a population viability model and the reintroduction program data, we analyzed the ambiguities in the vital rates assessments to find the most likely scenario for the development of the population since its reintroduction. Finally, we modeled different options to improve the survival chances of this one and possibly other small populations. Estimated parameters result in a declining population. In the majority of the simulations, lynx populations go extinct within 20 years. This can be improved by reintroduction or natural immigration of new individuals every 4 years, but only if the new individuals arrive within a short period of time after the initial reintroduction. Also, longer time intervals are insufficient to elevate the median time to extinction beyond 50 years. Separately, moderate changes in reproduction or survival rates have only a marginal effect on the population’s survival. Decreasing only the impact of mortality would increase this population’s persistence time, but not ensure its long-term survival. However, decreased mortality in combination with immigration should result in much more successful population development. With higher longevity and release every 4 years the population is more successful even if the new individuals start entering the population up to 20 years later. Even less frequent immigration combined with enhanced longevity still improves survival. Combined adjustment of individuals to their environment and regular immigration provide the best chances of long-term survival. One or both of those factors could explain why lynx is still present in the area.
franz-biblio
MATĚJŮ, J., ŘÍČANOVÁ, S., POLÁKOVÁ, S., AMBROS, M., KALA, B., MATĚJŮ, K. & KRATOCHVÍL, L. (2012)
Method of releasing and number of animals are determinants for the success of European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) reintroductions.
Eur. J. Wildl. Res. 58: 473–482. DOI 10.1007/s10344-011-0597-8
Abstract :
Reintroductions are considered an important part of the action plans and recovery strategies of endangered ground squirrel species, but so far little is known about their proper methodology. We collected primary data on 12 European ground squirrel reintroduction projects carried out at 14 localities in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland since 1989. We focused on seven methodological aspects of each reintroduction: selection of release site, method of releasing, date of releasing, origin of released animals, total number of released animals, mean number of released animals per season and reintroduction site management. The method of releasing was found to be the key factor in determining the settlement of animals at the target locality. Only soft releasing methods, i.e. the use of enclosures and/or artificial burrows, ensure that animals remain at the target locality. The other factors significantly determining reintroduction success are the number of released animals per season (at least 23 animals required) and the total number of released animals (a minimum of 60 individuals). Long-term management of the site and regular monitoring of the newly established population are necessary. Our recommendations, based on experience with the successes and failures of previous reintroductions, could largely improve the efficiency of future reintroductions of highly endangered species.
mateju-biblio