The Recovery Programme

Origins

The Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme (BLRP) was launched in 2006 in response to the critical status of the Balkan lynx (Lynx lynx balcanicus). As the recovery of a species takes time, the BLRP has been expanded over the years into a long-term programme. It was initiated as a trans-boundary effort involving national conservation organisations responsible for the implementation of field activities in North Macedonia (Macedonian Ecological Society MES) and Albania (Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania PPNEA) with scientific support from Switzerland (KORA) and coordination from Germany (EuroNatur). Since 2013, the BLRP has expanded to Kosovo (Environmentally Responsible Action group ERA).

Goals

The primary objective of the BLRP is to restore a viable population of Balkan lynx. We aim to achieve this through the following strategies:

Research and monitoring: Implementing a reliable monitoring and carrying out targeted research to gain vital insights into the ecology and needs of the Balkan lynx.
Policy development – Lobbying for better legislation and improve law enforcement to address key threats and ensure long-term protection of lynx and their habitats.
Habitat protection: Expanding protected areas, such as national parks, while enhancing their effectiveness in achieving conservation objectives and supporting their ability to better meet nature protection goals. This includes fostering sustainable forest and wildlife management practices to ensure adequate prey availability, maintain habitat connectivity, and strengthen ecological resilience.
Stakeholder engagement: Fostering cooperation with local communities, hunters and authorities to promote coexistence, raise awareness and reduce illegal killing of lynx and its prey.
Knowledge and awareness raising: Increase public knowledge about the Balkan lynx and its ecosystem through targeted educational initiatives and communication strategies, while raising awareness of the subspecies’ critical conservation status and the urgent need for its protection.

Achievements

Over the years, the BLRP has made significant process. Some of the achievements are:

Population assessment: The BLRP confirmed the existence of the Balkan lynx and mapped its range through local population surveys and systematic camera trap monitoring. These efforts helped to estimate the population and to conduct an IUCN Red List assessment.
GPS tracking of Balkan lynx: 14 individuals have been collared with GPS collars. These collars have provided information on home ranges, movements and diet, increasing knowledge of the species on local and continental level.
Protected area designations: The programme contributed to the designation of protected areas, such as Munella in Albania, Bjeshket e Nemuna in Kosovo and Shara in North Macedonia, which are crucial for lynx conservation.
Listing of the Balkan lynx in international treaties: The Balkan lynx was listed on Appendix II of the Bern Convention in 2017 and on Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) in 2024. The recent CMS listing strengthens transboundary conservation efforts and paves the way for the development of regional conservation strategy and national action plans for the species' survival.
Collaboration with stakeholders: Trusting relationships with authorities and stakeholders such as hunters, foresters and gamekeepers in all three range countries are a cornerstone of the BLRP. These partnerships help to strengthen shared responsibility for lynx conservation and increase the acceptance and effectiveness of conservation measures.
Communication: The BLRP has implemented several campaigns to raise public awareness of the importance of the Balkan lynx and the challenges it faces. These programmes include educational activities for school children, working with media representatives and disseminating information about the lynx to the general public.

The groundwork has been laid for the long-term conservation of the Balkan lynx. Now we must continue our work to achieve our goal: the restoration of a viable Balkan lynx population.

Outlook

Given that the population size of the Balkan lynx has been very small for decades already, the resulting low genetic variability is an issue we are increasingly concerned about. The population already displays a high level of inbreeding compared to other lynx populations in Europe. We therefore consider a reinforcement of the Balkan lynx population, a pathway we currently investigating through a feasibility assessment to evaluate the biological, ecological, and social viability of translocating lynx.

Alongside the reinforcement initiative, the ongoing project components—monitoring and research of the population, community engagement and communication and policy work will continue to ensure a holistic approach.

One important milestone in 2025, will be the development of the Regional Conservation Strategy for the Balkan lynx. This is an activity that was suggested and adopted as Concerted Action by the CMS. The BLRP together with the Cat Specialist Group and UNEP intend to lead this process including experts and authorities from both the current and potential range countries.