First photo of lynx in Albania

The Association for the Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA) announces that on 21 April 2011, its field research team got the first photo of an alive Balkan lynx (Lynx lynx martinoi) living in nature. The individual had been photographed using camera-trap devices on 26 March 2011 at 18:48, in the northern mountainous region of Albania. The Balkan lynx is one of the most threatened wildlife species living in Albania, and since 2006, PPNEA together with international partners from Switzerland, Germany, Macedonia and Norway is carrying out a programme for the recovery of its population. Recent expert based estimates indicate that the lynx population in Albania is no more than 15 - 20 remaining individuals. Therefore, it has been classified as a critically endangered species in Albania (CR – Red List of Albanian Fauna, 2007). However, to date, continuous field research conducted by PPNEA, based on contemporary monitoring methods, had not proven the existence of any remaining live individuals. All signs of lynx presence were from dead/killed individuals, which are held as trophies, and from the local knowledge of rural people. As such, this photo represents a great achievement as it definitively proves the presence of lynx in our country and calls for greater and immediate efforts towards their conservation and habitats where they live.

The Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme is a multi-national initiative, undertaken by the Association for the Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA – www.ppnea.org) and the Macedonian Ecological Society (MES – www.mes.org.mk) in collaboration with international partners, KORA (www.kora.ch), Euronatur (www.euronatur.org), Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (www.nina.no) and IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group (www.catsg.org).                                                    

If you require further information please visit the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme website - www.catsg.org/balkanlynx