Eurasian Lynx
I recently had a nice sighting of European Lynx near Basel, Switzerland. It showed itself for about an hour down to 5 meters. For a time, it was hooted at by two Tawny Owls. Unfortunately, next day it was no longer to be found. Videos are linked here:
Videos;
https://vimeo.com/420457219
https://vimeo.com/420457397
https://vimeo.com/420458030
Of interest to mammalwatchers might be that I twice seen Eurasian lynx which hidden immediately in the undergrowth. However, when I moved past, went much further on and waited, the lynx reappeared on the road on the same place within about 30 minutes. Also, when later I approached the place again, the cat was crouched only a few meters from the edge of the bush, with its eyeshine well visible. Lynx, at least in Central Europe, are probably used to people passing by without noticing them.
best,
Jurek
7 Comments
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Fridolin Zimmermann
Dear Jurek,
My name is Fridolin Zimmermann (f.zimmermann@kora.ch). I am the coordinator of the large carnivore monitoring in Switzerland. My friend David Hetherington from Scotland informed me about your interesting lynx observation. Would it be possible to have more information (coordinates of the observation)? Do you have additional videos where the coat pattern of the lynx is clearly visible? This would enable us to identify the individual. If you agree to provide us with this information you must know that normally all observations are published in our monitoring center (see https://www.koracenter.ch).
Many thanks in advance for your time
Best wishes -
rommens Guy
Hi Jurek
I’m a Belgian vet and very interested in viewing cats in the wild , as we are visiting switserland in september ( not a mammalwatching trip) I would love to do an attempt in finding it even that I do realize it will be nearly impossible but cats are very territorial so why not have a try, can you please give me a bit more information about the place you did find it?
Thank you so much
Guy Rommens
Belgium -
Jurek
Hi Guy,
I visited this place several times afterwards but I did not see the lynx again. However if you want to try, please write to my private address: jurekdotbirds atgmxdotde.
best,
J.
PS. By the way, this map suggests that hills of northwestern Switzerland are almost continuously inhabited by lynx:
https://www.kora.ch/index.php?id=84&L=%2525272
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Miles Foster
Thanks, Jurek,
that’s a helpful tip and nice video. I have also noticed that predators (tigers, foxes etc.) will often sit and wait just inside cover until they assume we have gone.
Ys.
Miles