First insight into the spatial and foraging ecology of the critically endangered Balkan lynx (Lynx lynx balcanicus, Buresh 1941)

Spatial and foraging ecology of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) has been well recognized, however due to the distinct taxonomic position and geographic isolation of its Balkan population, it is important to learn and compare its ecology to other populations of this felid. Therefore, the paper offers t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Hystrix Vol. 31; no. 1; p. 26
Main Authors:	Melovski, Dime, Ivanov, Gjorgje, Stojanov, Aleksandar, Vasko Avukatov, Gonev, Andrej, Pavlov, Aleksandar, Breitenmoser, Urs, Manuela von Arx, Filla, Marc, Krofel, Miha, Signer, Johannes, Balkenhol, Niko
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Varese Associazione Teriologica Italiana 01-01-2020
Subjects:	Carnivores Endangered species Foraging behavior Home range Lynx lynx Prey Telemetry Central Europe
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	Spatial and foraging ecology of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) has been well recognized, however due to the distinct taxonomic position and geographic isolation of its Balkan population, it is important to learn and compare its ecology to other populations of this felid. Therefore, the paper offers the first ever investigation into the spatial and foraging ecology of this predator. To that aim, we used modern GPS/GSM telemetry methods, allowing proper research of animal spatial requirements and diet preferences. Individuals were captured using walk-through, double-door box-traps and foot-snares placed on fresh lynx kills. Average home range size of males is 373 km2 (95\% MCP) and 400 km2 (0.7 Kernel), while the female’s home range is 119 km2 (95\% MCP) and 108 km2 (0.7 Kernel). GPS clusters showed prey remains of 153 kills from five different species: roe deer, chamois, brown hare, red fox and marten. Data collected for the Balkan lynx suggest lower kill rates, probably associated with lower ungulate densities in the study area compared to most of Central Europe, also indicated by the relatively long search time. Although Eurasian lynx can adapt to lower ungulate prey densities by increasing hunting effort, changing spatial organization or switching to smaller prey, this, in turn, can have adverse demographic effects on the critically endangered Balkan population. Using GPS telemetry, we provided first insight into the space use of this small population, and show that the spatial and foraging ecology of the Balkan lynx appear similar to other European populations of this species, especially those from Central Europe with similar home range size and principal prey preference.
ISSN:	0394-1914 1825-5272
DOI:	10.4404/hystrix-00254-2019