Europe-wide species protection
Third lynx from Wildnispark Zurich released into the wild in Germany
In Germany, the lynx is threatened with extinction. The female Freya, born in the Wildnispark Zurich is intended to strengthen the population in the Ore Mountains.
The Wildnispark Zurich is one of the few animal parks in Europe where young lynx can be prepared for life in the wild. Today, the third cub was released into the wild in Germany within a year. "We are delighted and proud to be able to contribute to the conservation of this wonderful species with our work," explains Karin Hindenlang Clerc, Managing Director of the Foundation Wildnispark Zurich .
In Germany, the Eurasian lynx is considered to be threatened with extinction. Projects are therefore currently underway in several German federal states to reintroduce lynx and to strengthen smaller populations with additional animals.
"RELynx Sachsen" project
The female Freya, born in 2024 in the Wildnispark Zurich, was released into the wild in the Ore Mountains as part of the "RELynx Sachsen" project. The Saxon State Office for the Environment, Agriculture and Geology wants to settle around twenty lynx in the Ore Mountains by 2030/31. The aim is to establish a self-sustaining lynx population in the Saxon forests that can network with the existing populations in Germany and Europe and thus contribute to the long-term protection of the species.
The female lynxes Vreni and Verena, born in 2023 – Freya's older sisters – were released into the wild in Thuringia and Baden-Württemberg. Lynx breeding and reintroductions are coordinated by the EAZA's European breeding program and the international network "Linking Lynx".
Situation of the lynx in Switzerland
The lynx was reintroduced to Switzerland in the 1970s. The population currently stands at around 300 animals. As they are descended from only ten to twenty parent animals and sometimes live in isolation from each other, the populations are at risk of inbreeding. Releasing additional individuals into the wild could improve the genetic diversity of the animals in Switzerland and ensure the long-term survival of the "brush-eared".
Contact persons for media inquiries:
Wildnispark Zurich: Mirella Wepf, Project Manager Communications, Tel.: 044 722 55 24, mirella.wepf@wildnispark.ch
"RELynx Sachsen": Karin Bernhardt, Press Officer Saxon State Office for Environment, Agriculture and Geology, Tel.: +49 351 2612 9002, Karin.Bernhardt@lfulg.sachsen.de
