Commitment to biodiversity
Lynx triplets in Wildnispark Zurich
For the third year in a row, the lynxes at Langenberg Wildlife Park have had offspring. This year there are even triplets. Like their half-sisters who have already been released into the wild, the three are seen as a source of hope for the free-living lynx population in Europe.
The lynx enclosure in Wildnispark Zurich is one of the few in Europe where young lynx can be prepared for an independent life in the wild. This makes it all the more exciting that kittens have been born again this year – this time even triplets!
With a little luck you can already catch a glimpse of the trio. There are two females and one male. Together with their mother, they are located in the rear part of the lynx enclosure.
Lynxes are endangered.
The wild lynx population in Western and Central Europe is under threat. The individual populations are sometimes very isolated from each other, which means there is a risk of inbreeding.
Many European countries are therefore running projects for the targeted reintroduction of lynx or to strengthen weak populations. The Linking Lynx network, in which lynx experts from all over Europe come together with the aim of creating a networked and thus viable metapopulation of lynx in Europe, plays an important role in this context.
Half-sisters released into the wild in Germany
The Wildnispark Zurich foundation participates in the European conservation breeding program for lynx. Fortunately, cubs were born last year and the year before last at Langenberg Zoo – a total of four females. Two were released into the wild in Germany to strengthen the endangered population there. A third is expected to be released into the wild in Germany this summer. The fourth female was given to another zoo as a breeding animal.
A new breeding female has been living at Langenberg Wildlife Park since January 2025. She originally comes from Alpenzoo Innsbruck and is the mother of this year's cubs. The mother of the young animals from 2023 and 2024 – has since moved to Tierpark Goldau. The father has remained the same. The targeted exchange of breeding animals between the zoos ensures that the genetic diversity of the lynx is maintained.
Like their half-sisters from 2023 and 2024, this year's cubs will hopefully be suitable for release into the wild or as breeding animals in EAZA's European breeding program.This will be decided in a few months by the coordinator of the breeding program and Linking Lynx.
Support the lynxes with a donation to the Wildnispark Zurich Foundation!
Images:
Stefan Eichholzer, Wildnispark Zurich (mother and cub's face)
Albert Hanslin: Mother with cub
