The use of camera trapping to study population status and ecology of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in the Dinaric Mountains

Fležar, Urša (author), Krofel, Miha (mentor), Aronsson, Malin (comentor)

Monitoring is a fundamental component of wildlife conservation. Among available methods, camera trapping has become a key tool, enabling non-invasive data collection and robust estimation of population parameters, such as density and abundance. The population of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in the Dinaric Mountains was until recently severely inbred. A population reinforcement program thus launched in 2017 to prevent its extinction. This thesis documents the use of camera trapping to evaluate the demographic recovery of lynx in the Dinaric Mountains, and to assess its interactions with another protected felid, the sympatric European wildcat (Felis silvestris). Using transboundary datasets from Slovenia and Croatia and spatial capture-recapture (SCR) modelling we provide the first large-scale estimates of density and abundance of the Dinaric lynx population, and track its changes over a four-year period. Results demonstrate > 40% increase in density following the reinforcement, highlighting the effectiveness of this conservation intervention. At the same time, we show that heterogeneous camera-trap placement, particularly the inclusion of lynx scent-marking sites, can bias density estimates if not accounted for in the SCR models. We also demonstrate the value of collaborative monitoring involving hunters for improving data collection, social acceptance, and its management relevance. Finally, we show that Eurasian lynx and European wildcat co-occur and largely overlap their daily activity, however, the smaller felid avoids Eurasian lynx scent-marking sites. Thus, recovery of Eurasian lynx population can be compatible with the conservation of smaller sympatric carnivores. By integrating large-scale camera trapping, citizen science, and state-of-the-art modelling, this thesis establishes a comprehensive framework for an evaluation of conservation efforts and for long-term monitoring of Eurasian lynx in the region.

• Language: English
• Keywords: camera trapping, monitoring, population status, density, abundance, reinforcement, spatial capture-recapture, occupancy, citizen science, Eurasian lynx, Lynx lynx, European wildcat, Felis silvestris
• Work type: Doctoral dissertation
• Typology: 2.08 - Doctoral Dissertation
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Publisher: [U. Fležar]
• Year: 2026
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-188738
• UDC: 599.742.734:591.52(234.422.1)(043.3)
• COBISS.SI-ID: 293170691
• Publication date in RUL: 27.09.2026

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Uporaba avtomatskih kamer za preučevanje populacijskega statusa in ekologije evrazijskega risa (Lynx lynx) v Dinarskem gorstvu

Abstract

Monitoring je temelj varstva prostoživečih živali. Med razpoložljivimi metodami je spremljanje s foto-pastmi postalo ključno orodje, saj omogoča neinvazivno zbiranje podatkov in zanesljivo ocenjevanje populacijskih parametrov, kot sta gostota in številčnost. Populacija evrazijskega risa (Lynx lynx) v Dinarskem gorstvu je bila do nedavnega močno ogrožena zaradi parjenja v sorodstvu. Za preprečitev njenega izumrtja se je leta 2017 začel varstveni program krepitve populacije. Ta naloga dokumentira uporabo foto-pasti za spremljanje demografskega okrevanja risa v Dinarskem gorstvu ter za proučevanje njegovih interakcij z drugo zaščiteno mačjo vrsto, simpatrično evropsko divjo mačko (Felis silvestris). Z uporabo čezmejnih podatkov iz Slovenije in Hrvaške ter modelov prostorskega ulova s ponovnim ulovom (SCR) podajamo prve ocene gostote in številčnosti dinarske populacije risa ter spremljamo njene spremembe v štiriletnem obdobju. Rezultati kažejo na > 40% povečanje gostote po krepitvi populacije, kar poudarja učinkovitost tega varstvenega ukrepa. Hkrati pokažemo, da lahko heterogena postavitev foto-pasti, zlasti vključevanje risjih markirnih mest, povzroči pristranske ocene gostote, če je ne upoštevamo pri SCR modeliranju. Opišemo tudi pomen sodelovanja lovcev pri monitoringu, ki je izboljšalo zbiranje podatkov, njegovo družbeno sprejemljivost in upravljavsko relevantnost. Nazadnje pokažemo, da se ris in divja mačka pojavljata na istih območjih in imata podobno dnevno aktivnost, vendar se divja mačka izogiba risjim markirnim mestom. Z združevanjem obsežnega monitoringa s foto-pastmi, državljanske znanosti in sodobnega modeliranja ta naloga vzpostavlja celovit okvir za vrednotenje varstvenih ukrepov evrazijskega risa v regiji, ter opredeljuje njegovo dolgoročno spremljanje.

• Keywords: foto-pasti, monitoring, status populacije, gostota, številčnost, krepitev, modeli prostorskega ulova s ponovnim ulovom, pojavnost, občanska znanost, evrazijski ris, Lynx lynx, divja mačka, Felis silvestris