North Macedonia

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.