News | Balkan Lynx

Regional Strategy for Balkan Lynx Conservation adopted at the CMS COP15

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Joint efforts to strengthen conservation measures for the Balkan lynx are bearing fruit. At the CMS COP15, a new strategy for the conservation of the Balkan lynx has been presented and officially endorsed: the Range-wide Strategy for the Rescue and Conservation of the Balkan Lynx Lynx lynx balcanicus 2026−2035.

During a side event organised by the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning of the Republic of North Macedonia on the 24th of March, lynx experts and key partners came together to discuss key conservation measures with a focus on transboundary cooperation. The Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme played a crucial role co-leading this initiative and will be one of the organisms contributing to its implementation in the coming years. The Regional Strategy, which was later officially endorsed by the CMS on the 27th of March outlines a coordinated, long-term approach, prioritising habitat protection, reconnecting forest areas, and improving genetic diversity to reduce extinction risk. As the species spans multiple countries, its regional scope is essential and requires joint action beyond national borders.

Conservationists have welcomed the strategy but emphasise that its success depends on effective implementation, requiring sustained resources and collaboration. The coming years will be crucial for the survival of the Balkan lynx.

The strategy was developed by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)/ Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention, the IUCN Cat Specialist Group, the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme, and national authorities from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo, as well as Greece and Bulgaria.

New Balkan lynx brochure available

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0100

The brochure provides comprehensive insights into the Balkan lynx – its origins, habitat and the serious threats it faces. It also presents the project’s conservation actions and the protection measures being implemented to safeguard this critically endangered subspecies.

Take a look and find out more!

Collaring lynx for scientific purposes

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Zora

Zora is our 15th captured Balkan lynx in North Macedonia, collared in April 2025. Radio-telemetry shows that she roams the forests of the country’s western region. Weighing 15.5 kg at the time of capture, she is a strong and capable predator – with a particular taste for roe deer.

Luna

Beautiful Luna was captured in the winter of 2024, fittingly under a full moon. Although her collar is no longer active (it stopped transmitting this summer after about one and a half years), we gathered enough high-quality data to detect meaningful patterns. One GPS cluster turned out to be especially rewarding: a potential den site. And indeed, this summer we confirmed that she had given birth to a fluffy kitten – and we even have photos to prove it.

Krle

Krle was heavily infested with ticks at his capture in March 2024, but he seems to be doing very well now. He hunts roe deer successfully and even meets up with females from time to time. Telemetry data revealed a summer rendezvous with Zora at the forest edge. Such meet-ups are rare, as lynxes are territorial, but male-female interactions occur more frequently, especially when their home ranges overlap.

How the GPS Collars Work

The collars typically function for one to two years, collecting valuable data throughout that period. Collars can be located, retrieved and reused. When the battery reaches the end of its life, an integrated ‘drop-off’ mechanism ensures that the collar detaches automatically after a set period.

Monitoring prey availability for the Balkan lynx

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0100

This lynx primarily hunts small ungulates such as chamois and roe deer, but it also preys on brown hares, rodents and occasionally foxes. Its survival is closely linked to the presence of suitable prey and the quality of its habitat.

In North Macedonia, chamois census on Mt. Galichica took place on 30 October. The mountain range hosts the eponymous national park, and represents an important lynx area in the southwestern part of North Macedonia, bordering Albania. The partner organisation MES joined the park rangers and members of the Mountain Rescue Service, conducting 3 transects across the area, covering parts which oversaw both the Ohrid and the Prespa side. We managed to count only 13 chamois individuals, which, according to the park rangers, is less than what they estimate.In addition to this, MES in collaboration with rangers conducted data on 11 November 2025 in Jasen Multipurpose Area in the northwestern part of the country. Surveying along five transects, a total of 231 chamois were recorded, including adults and younger individuals. The area lies within the habitat of the Balkan lynx.

In Kosovo, monitoring is taking place in three regions: Bjeshkët e Nemuna, the Gjeravica mountain area and the Kopaonik range. The surveys are still ongoing, but chamois have already been observed in all three regions, which are considered potential lynx habitats or areas where lynx presence has already been documented

In Albania, PPNEA carried out chamois monitoring in November 2025 together with the regional agencies of protected areas of Korça and Elbasan. Surveys were conducted in Prespa and Shebenik National Parks, both important transboundary areas for the Balkan lynx. Along the transects covered this year, no chamois were recorded in either park. Despite the lack of observations during the November survey, the species remains present in the region. Earlier this autumn, a local tour operator documented a group of 15 chamois in Shebenik National Park. PPNEA will continue monitoring in December 2025 in other key lynx areas, such as Munella Nature Park and the Polis–Valamara ecosystem. In addition, several cellular camera traps installed in the Albanian Alps continue to capture chamois regularly, including images taken during the season’s first snowfall.

Understanding the availability of prey is essential for the BLRP as it helps to interpret the lynx`s habitat use, and it provides a foundation for developing effective conservation measures.

BLRP goes international

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0200

EUROLYNX

The lynx team was attending the EUROLYNX meeting (13-15 October 2025), a platform bringing together Europe's lynx research community sharing novel studies and looking into potential collaborations. The venue is hosting more than 100 participants from all over the continent, with 30 oral and 8 poster presentations. BLRP took the floor with Ines Moreno's presentation on Balkan Lynx Management Scenarios. Also, through 2 poster presentations we showcased some of our research work on lynx prey density estimation, namely roe deer and brown hare.

IUCN Congress in Abu Dhabi

The BLRP participated in the Congress in Abu Dhabi, held from 9 to 15 October 2025. At PPNEA’s booth in the pavilion, we presented our informational and promotional materials, including the recently published BLRP-brochure and exchanged information with attendees interested in our work on the Balkan lynx. Many thanks to PPNEA for this valuable opportunity!

Protecting the Balkan lynx: a European responsibility

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0200

On 24 September, an event took place in the European Parliament at the invitation of two Member of Parliament, Sebastian Everding and Thomas Waitz, at which various stakeholders from governmental and non-governmental organisations, among others members of the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme, came together to discuss how the Balkan lynx can be saved from extinction. During the event, it was emphasised that environmental commitments must not be neglected in the EU enlargement process – rather, the protection of the Balkan lynx is “an example of real progress in nature conservation in this region,” according to Everding of the Animal Protection Party.

The event pointed out the responsibility of the European Parliament to act as a kind of watchdog and ensure that biodiversity is not neglected during the enlargement process of the three Western Balkan states Albania, North Macedonia and Kosovo – home of the last Balkan lynx. The event highlighted also the importance of large-scale protected areas such as Mavrovo National Park in North Macedonia and the effective cooperation between the stakeholders and the countriesfor the survival of the Balkan lynx.

“The survival of the Balkan lynx will be a yardstick for whether the EU's enlargement to include the Western Balkan states fulfils Europe's promises. It is a test of the credibility of us all,” said Member of Parliament Thomas Waitz of the Greens at the end of the event. "Let us use this symbol not only as a reminder of what we could lose, but as inspiration for what we can still protect if we act together.”

Activities on International Lynx Day

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Kosovo: Exhibition of Camera Trap Pictures
Visitors had the opportunity to view unique photos captured by camera traps by the BLRP Partner ERA – fascinating images that reveal the presence of wild animals in Kosovo’s forests and highlight the importance of protecting their habitats.

In addition to the exhibition, educational materials were donated to three educational institutions: «Ramiz Sadiku», «Dardania», and the preschool «Brezi i Artë». These packages aim to support environmental education and inspire young minds to become stewards of nature.

Albania: Bringing together Stakeholders
In Albania, this year’s celebration took place in Razëm, Shkodër, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders — from local communities and institutions to conservation organisations and protected area managers by BLRP Partner PPNEA.

A key moment of the day was the «Connective Conservation Areas Symposium», which featured the premiere of a new documentary on the Balkan lynx and focused on the importance of ecological corridors. These connected landscapes are vital for ensuring the long-term survival of the lynx, allowing it to move, reproduce, and adapt in a changing environment.

Participants also celebrated the contributions of the local women’s group «Zojat e Munellës» (= ladies of Munella), who are involved in traditional practices and lynx monitoring. Additionally, the initiative to declare Balgjaj Mountain a Regional Nature Park was presented, reinforcing its importance as a link between fragmented lynx habitats.

North Macedonia: Lynx Mural Unveiled
With a mural of the Balkan lynx and a small symbolic celebration, the BLRP Partner Macedonian Ecological Society (MES) marked International Lynx Day.

«We finally found a home for the mural, found the artist to create it, and a person with vision and openness to collaboration» said the Director of the Comedy Theatre, Darko Spasov. «Our goal with this mural is to raise public awareness, not only in rural areas but also at the urban level. When the situation becomes difficult, we need support from all layers of society», said Dime Melovski, Head of the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme.

In addition to the mural on the facade of the Comedy Theatre, an informational board was installed in front of the building. It includes basic facts about the lynx and a QR code linking to this website dedicated to the Balkan lynx.

After the welcoming speeches, MES members and collaborators gathered at Bistro Comedy, where in a friendly atmosphere, they reflected on past achievements and exchanged ideas for future initiatives and collaborations.

North Macedonia

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0200

From 3 to 4 June 2025, 38 participants from across the Balkan lynx range—including North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro, Greece, Bulgaria, and Bosnia & Herzegovina—gathered in Skopje for a strategic regional meeting, including a field trip to Mavrovo National Park – the main habitat of the Balkan lynx. The focus of the meeting was to work together on a Regional Conservation Strategy for the Balkan lynx. As the Balkan lynx is listed under the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) since February 2024, a key action is the creation of a collaborative Regional Strategy to ensure its protection and conservation.

The meeting was hosted by MES and co-led by Iskra Stojanova (UNEP) and Urs Breitenmoser (IUCN Cat Specialist Group) with remote contributions from Clara Nobbe (CMS) and Marta Medlinska (Bern Convention) underscoring the international significance of the initiative.

This strategy is the result of an inclusive process supported by the BLRP, which played a key role in the preparatory work leading up to this physical meeting. Initial preparations were made during the BLRP Partner Meeting in November 2024, followed by a series of four online consultations involving all range countries in April and May 2025 to develop the draft of the strategy presented in the physical meeting. This joint approach ensures that the final document reflects shared priorities and region-specific conservation needs. While the coming months will focus on refining the draft and completing final reviews, the goal remains clear: to secure a unified and science-based path forward for safeguarding the Balkan lynx and its fragile habitat.

North Macedonia

Wed, 28 May 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Over a ten-year period (2013–2023), we monitored the Balkan lynx in the forests and rugged mountains of Mavrovo National Park using camera traps. We recorded nearly 180 detections and applied spatial capture-recapture models to estimate lynx density and assess trends over time.

Our results show a clear decline: from 2013 to 2023, the estimated density of the Balkan lynx in its core area dropped by nearly half. While these densities remain comparable to other European lynx populations, the continued downward trend in such a small and isolated group raises serious concern.

Despites challenges such as low detection rates and missing sex data, the use of spatially explicit capture recapture models provided robust density estimates across five survey sessions. Our findings highlight the urgent need for conservation action, including reinforcement and genetic monitoring.

To the study

North Macedonia

Thu, 15 May 2025 00:00:00 +0200

These community activities are usually held alongside lynx monitoring sessions and aim to build trust and lasting relationships with local communities. By sharing insights into lynx ecology and biology, the BLRP seeks to increase public understanding and encourage local engagement in conservation efforts.

A key highlight of the evening in Virovo was the screening of the documentary In the Heart of the Balkans: Searching for the Lynx, which showcases years of dedicated work within the BLRP. The event provided an opportunity for villagers to learn more about the Balkan lynx and to exchange experiences in a relaxed, informal setting.

North Macedonia

Sun, 13 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Weighing 15.5 kilograms, this individual was given the name Zora – the Macedonian word for «dawn». Zora is the 15th Balkan lynx to be radio-collared since the beginning of the BLRP. She joins two other currently monitored individuals, Luna and Krle, forming part of a small but vital data set that helps researchers better understand the species’ movements and behaviour in the wild.

The capture and handling process was carried out according to a strict protocol. This included measuring the animal, collecting genetic samples (blood, swabs, and hair), and inspecting for ectoparasites - ticks in this case, which were also collected for further analysis. These procedures are essential for assessing the individual’s health and contribute to broader genetic research on the population.

Zora has already sent her first GPS locations, confirming that she is alive and adapting well. The radio-tracking will now allow the BLRP team to gather important insights into her movement patterns and habitat use – crucial information for the conservation of such rare animal.

Albania

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0200

A mural with a mission

The mural, created by artist Franko Dine, depicts the Balkan lynx with the slogan "Nature Lynx Us". The pun emphasises the connection between man and nature and the need for conservation. The project started at the beginning of the school year, when students and staff attended a session on the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme (BLRP).

The mural is part of a wider campaign to raise awareness of the Balkan lynx, a species with fewer than 50 individuals remaining in the south-western Balkans. Key threats include illegal hunting, habitat destruction, infrastructure development and forest fires. Inspired by the results of the camera traps in the Polis-Valamara region, the campaign plans to extend to other towns in Albania, such as Elbasan, Puka and Pogradec, where lynx populations are also found.

Art meets action

The mural highlights the challenges facing the Balkan lynx and promotes conservation efforts. By bringing awareness to urban spaces, the #NatureLynxUs campaign, led by BLRP partner organisation PPNEA, connects wildlife conservation to everyday life. As the campaign grows, it encourages communities to actively protect the Balkan lynx through art, education and conservation initiatives, emphasising the shared responsibility to prevent its extinction.

Kosovo

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0200

The focus of ERA's environmental education is to raise awareness and encourage engagement among young people, especially in rural areas and within minority communities. These initiatives aim to foster a culture of environmental responsibility and empower students to contribute to sustainable practices in their communities.

A cornerstone of these efforts is an emphasis on the protection of endangered species, such as the Balkan lynx (Lynx lynx balcanicus). Through ERA's advocacy, information about the Balkan lynx has been included in the 6th grade primary school curriculum, laying the groundwork for better understanding and active participation in conservation efforts.

As part of international eco-school initiatives, ERA works closely with schools to implement sustainable practices. These include the creation of eco-friendly school gardens, recycling programmes and the promotion of energy efficiency. These efforts have produced tangible results, increasing students' knowledge of endangered species and reinforcing the importance of environmental stewardship.

North Macedonia

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0100

On the full moon night of 26 January 2024, the team from the Macedonian Ecological Society (MES) marked a significant achievement. On that night, a healthy young female Balkan lynx weighing 16 kilograms was captured in a box trap set just a few days earlier.

The lynx was in the Bukovik area, a key bio-corridor for the Balkan lynx and an essential part of the wildlife connectivity network.

The capture was part of ongoing conservation efforts within the BLRP and may provide new insights into the biology and ecology of the critically endangered animal, as well as a better picture of the bio-corridors used. Radio-telemetry data shows for example that her preferred prey is roe deer, as seen by all the kills so far. The map reveals that she holds an area of around 140 km2, covering forests and meadows, but occasionally she'd visit high-mountain pastures.

Luna is one of 14 individuals captured as part of the project since its start in 2006.