The first study, led by the Biotechnical Faculty in Ljubljana, showed that ungulate kill rates and feeding times by lynx vary considerably across Europe. In less productive ecosystems lynx killed less ungulates and hunted across larger areas. Researchers also observed that lynx were feeding on prey for a shorter time in areas where wild boars and brown bears were present. These dominant scavengers often usurp prey remains and thus reduce food intake by lynx. Feeding times were also shorter in areas with higher human impact, probably because lynx were abandoning their kills when disturbed by people.

Picture 1. Lynx usually feed on their prey for two or three days, unless they are disturbed by humans or their prey is taken by scavengers. Of the latter, wild boar are the most important in Europe. (FOTO: L. Hočevar)

In the second study researchers analysed survival of almost 700 lynx equipped with telemetry collars. Across Europe, the main causes of mortality were human-related. Illegal killings were responsible for most deaths, but they were not related to whether legal hunting was allowed or not. Female survival was 1.5 times greater than male survival, likely due to bolder behaviour and larger home ranges of males.

»Large-scale research could be done thanks to the Europe-wide network of lynx researchers EuroLynx, which gave us access to lynx telemetry data from numerous countries. Such approach enabled us to gain knowledge how species respond to a large gradient of environmental conditions and human impact“, said dr. Miha Krofel from University of Ljubljana, one of the lead researchers.

(FOTO: L. Hočevar)

Studies have been published these days in scientific journals Journal of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology. They were co-funded by the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (projects InterMuc and ExtremePredator) and the European Commission (project LIFE Lynx).

Links to the original scientific publications:

- Oliveira in sod. 2025. Ecological and intrinsic drivers of foraging parameters of Eurasian lynx across Europe. Journal of Animal Ecology, 94: 154–167

- Premier in sod. 2025. Survival of Eurasian lynx in the human-dominated landscape of Europe. Conservation Biology, e14439

Contact for further info: - dr. Miha Krofel, Univerza v Ljubljani, Biotehniška fakulteta, Oddelek za gozdarstvo in obnovljive gozdne vire; e-mail: