Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme

Protect the Balkan Lynx

The Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme (BLRP) aims to restore a viable Balkan lynx population by addressing key threats. Through transboundary collaboration, research, monitoring, community engagement, policy advocacy and communication, the programme is working to improve conservation strategies, strengthen legal protection, and establish a sustainable habitat network for the species.

The Balkan Lynx

The Balkan lynx (Lynx lynx balcanicus) is one of the rarest wild cats in Europe, with fewer than 50 individuals remaining. Found in the south-western Balkans, this critically endangered subspecies faces serious threats from habitat loss, poaching and a declining prey base. Learn more about their distribution, habitat, threats, behaviour and ecology.

The Recovery Programme

The Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme is a joint collaboration of project partners working to protect the Balkan lynx. Learn more about its goals, approach, and partners.

Find out More Meet the partners

News Articles

News From Our Projects

17.12.2025

New Balkan lynx brochure available

We are pleased to announce the release of a brand-new brochure about the Balkan lynx and our project dedicated to its protection.

Details

Krle © MES

01.12.2025

Collaring lynx for scientific purposes

Within the BLRP project, our partner MES in North Macedonia is collaring Balkan lynx to gain deeper insights into habitat use and movement patterns of this endangered subspecies. The GPS collars provide crucial information on how these elusive animals traverse their habitats. Since the start of the project, 15 individuals have delivered valuable data through their collars.

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28.11.2025

Monitoring prey availability for the Balkan lynx

The Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme (BLRP) is assessing chamois availability in several regions to gain essential insights into the status of one of the most relevant lynx prey species and can lay the groundwork for targeted conservation measures.

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23.10.2025

BLRP goes international

This fall the BLRP was present at two international conferences: At the IUCN Congress in Abu Dhabi and at the EUROlynx meeting in Belgium.

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