TRANSLOCATIONS
KORA participates regularly in translocations and reintroduction projects for the lynx in Europe. This can be for the support of existing populations or for the creation of new ones. Reintroductions do not only serve the reestablishment of the original biodiversity, but potentially also as “stepping stones” to improve the connectivity between existing lynx occurrence. Removing animals from an established population is permissible if the population is big enough and in a good status. KORA mainly leads the projects in terms of captures and transport of suitable lynx, but in close cooperation with the Swiss Federation, the respective cantons, and the FIWI (Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health). The good data set in Switzerland and our long-standing experience guarantees the successful implementation of such projects.
The following translocations have been performed by KORA:
- North-eastern Switzerland (2001–2008): Translocation of seven lynx from the Swiss Alps and five from the Swiss Jura mountains to north-eastern Switzerland.
- Limestone Alps (2011–2017): Translocation of one female lynx from the Alps and four lynx from the Swiss Jura mountains to the Limestone Alps (Austria).
- Tarvisiano (2014): Translocation of the lynx from the Swiss Jura mountains to Tarvisiano (Italy)
- Palatinian Forest (2016–2020): Translocation of eight lynx from the Swiss Jura mountains and four from north-eastern Switzerland to the Palatinian Forest (Germany). Additionally, eight lynx originating from Slovakia were also released.