First insight into the spatial and foraging ecology of the critically endangered Balkan lynx (Lynx lynx balcanicus, Buresh 1941)

Melovski, Dime (author), Ivanov, Gjorgje (author), Stojanov, Aleksandar (author), Avukatov, Vasko (author), Gonev, Andrej (author), Pavlov, Aleksandar (author), Breitenmoser, Urs (author), Arx, Manuela von (author), Filla, Marc (author), Krofel, Miha (author), Signer, Johannes (author), Balkenhol, Niko (author)

Spatial and foraging ecology of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) has been well recognized, however due to the distinct taxonomic position and geographic isolation of its Balkan population, it is important to learn and compare its ecology to other populations of this felid. Therefore, the paper offers the first ever investigation into the spatial and foraging ecology of this predator. To that aim, we used modern GPS/GSM telemetry methods, allowing proper research of animal spatial requirements and diet preferences. Individuals were captured using walk-through, double-door box-traps and foot-snares placed on fresh lynx kills. Average home range size of males is 373 km2 (95\% MCP) and 400 km2 (0.7 Kernel), while the female’s home range is 119 km2 (95\% MCP) and 108 km2 (0.7 Kernel). GPS clusters showed prey remains of 153 kills from five different species: roe deer, chamois, brown hare, red fox and marten. Data collected for the Balkan lynx suggest lower kill rates, probably associated with lower ungulate densities in the study area compared to most of Central Europe, also indicated by the relatively long search time. Although Eurasian lynx can adapt to lower ungulate prey densities by increasing hunting effort, changing spatial organization or switching to smaller prey, this, in turn, can have adverse demographic effects on the critically endangered Balkan population. Using GPS telemetry, we provided first insight into the space use of this small population, and show that the spatial and foraging ecology of the Balkan lynx appear similar to other European populations of this species, especially those from Central Europe with similar home range size and principal prey preference.

• Language: English
• Keywords: predation, GPS telemetry, spatial organization, kill rate
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Author Accepted Manuscript
• Year: 2020
• Number of pages: 36 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 31, iss. 1
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-116687
• UDC: 630*15
• ISSN on article: 0394-1914
• DOI: 10.4404/hystrix-00254-2019
• COBISS.SI-ID: 17887235
• Publication date in RUL: 03.06.2020

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Hystrix
• Shortened title: Hystrix
• Publisher: Associazione teriologica italiana
• ISSN: 0394-1914
• COBISS.SI-ID: 15461893

Licences

• License: CC BY-NC 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
• Description: A creative commons license that bans commercial use, but the users don’t have to license their derivative works on the same terms.
• Licensing start date: 03.06.2020

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: ris, Lynx lynx, populacijska dinamika, areal razširjenosti, Slovenija