TV tip for November 6

"Einstein" accompanies a young female lynx from Wildnispark Zurich

The program "Einstein" accompanies the young female lynx Freya from Wildnispark Zurich in Langnau am Albis to her release into the wild in the forests of eastern Germany. There she will help to build up a stable population. This is because the lynx is threatened with extinction in Germany. Freya's journey will first take her to a special enclosure in Thuringia, where she will be prepared for several months before being released into the wild.

Why Switzerland exports lynx - and has problems of its own

While Freya is helping to strengthen the young lynx population in Germany, Switzerland is struggling with the consequences of its own pioneering work. The first animals were released into the wild here over fifty years ago - a success story that brought the lynx back to the Alps and the Jura. Today, around 340 adult lynx live in Switzerland, the largest population in Western Europe. But the success story has a shadow: All the animals are descended from just a few individuals. Genetic diversity is low, and this has consequences.

Alarming findings

"Einstein" shows how researchers are investigating the health of the Swiss lynx. Animals found dead are analyzed at the Institute of Fish and Wildlife Health in Bern. The experts came across a mystery: time and again, young lynx died for no apparent reason. The trail leads to a genetic disease - scientifically proven for the first time. The youngest population in north-eastern Switzerland is affected.

More exchange and fresh blood

In general, heart defects have also been on the rise for some time. Experts warn that without fresh genetic material, the Swiss lynx could become increasingly ill and the population could shrink in the long term. One problem is that the isolated populations in the Jura, the Alps and north-western Switzerland hardly ever exchange their genes.

On the one hand, this exchange between the areas is now to be promoted, while on the other, experts are also calling for the resettlement of new lynx from abroad. But the implementation is complex: it requires international cooperation, legal clarifications and the acceptance of the population.

Broadcast date:

SRF1, Thursday, November 6, 2025, 9:05 p.m. or on PlaySRF

Editor/Production: Jörg Niggli

Moderation: Tobias Müller

Photos: SRF

Donations

Breeding lynxes that are fit for release into the wild is challenging and costly. If you would like to support us in this work, you can send us a donation via this link.