Young lynxes in the Zurich Wilderness Park

With a bit of luck, young lynx can currently be seen again at Langenberg Zoo. The two cubs - both females - were born at the end of April.

Population of wild lynx stable, but fragile

Lynx were once widespread throughout Europe. With the clearing of forests in favor of agriculture, the animals lost their habitat. Only in remote regions did they survive in small numbers. In Switzerland, the lynx became extinct in the 19th century; the first specimens were reintroduced in 1971. Populations have since recovered throughout Europe, but the populations are highly isolated from one another. Without regular genetic exchange between the populations, there is a risk of inbreeding, which threatens the health of the animals and the conservation of the species as a whole.

Conservation breeding at Langenberg Zoo

The Zurich Wilderness Park participates in the European Conservation Breeding Program with its Carpathian lynxes. The aim of this program is to preserve the species in captivity so that animals can be released into the wild when needed.

To this end, Langenberg Zoo has had the two male lynxes born in 2021 genetically tested. They come from the same breeding pair as the current cubs. The laboratory analysis showed that they are pure Carpathian lynx. This makes them and their younger siblings potential candidates for further breeding and for reintroduction projects to connect existing populations.

It has not yet been definitively determined where the 2021 and 2023 cubs will live in the future. "This will be decided in close consultation with those responsible for the conservation breeding program," explains Martin Kilchenmann, Head of Animals at the Zurich Wilderness Park Foundation. "Saving this fascinating animal species here in Europe will take a long time," he explains. "We are proud to be able to actively contribute to this."

Short text for excursion tip: Discover young animals in the Zurich Wilderness Park

Numerous young animals have been born at Langenberg Zoo in recent weeks. The young ibex are particularly easy to observe. With a bit of luck, however, you can also spot young fallow deer, lynx, marmots, roe deer, red deer, wild boar and wolves.

You can find the images for the media release in high resolution in the ZIP below
Further subjects on request.

Captions:

• Lynx offspring at Langenberg Zoo: The female born in May may play an important role in the conservation of the lynx population in Europe. (Zurich Wilderness Park Foundation/ Stefan Eichholzer)
• Well camouflaged: A young red deer calf at Langenberg Zoo (Stiftung Wildnispark Zürich/ Stefan Eichholzer)
• A rare sight: Marmots usually only give birth every two to three years. 2023 saw the "Munggen" give birth again (Zurich Wilderness Park Foundation/ Stefan Eichholzer)

Further information:

Mirella Wepf, Project Manager Communications, 044 722 55 24,
mirella.wepf@wildnispark.ch