Lynx
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Increase population density and dispersal success
Data collection in progress
Kakheti Steppes
Georgia
Problem: The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is an umbrella species and a flagship species for predator recovery efforts throughout Europe. Lynx is nationally red-listed as Endangered, however very little is known about their distribution in Georgia. Lynx distribution is limited by the availability of preferred prey, human persecution, increasing human activity and degraded and less connected habitat.
Action: SABUKO is partnering with stakeholders to protect and restore lynx habitats across the Kakheti steppes. This involves improving connectivity between habitats by collaborating with landowners to preserve natural corridors, reducing habitat fragmentation, and implementing sustainable grazing practices. SABUKO also collaborates with the community to raise awareness of lynx conservation, and collaborates with law enforcement to deter poaching and ensure legal protection for lynx. Additionally, a camera trapping network has been established to monitor lynx, providing critical data for conservation planning and policy development in southeast Georgia.
Indicator: SABUKO is monitoring lynx densities in southeast Georgia using camera trapping. This will be used to inform land management strategies (establish protected areas, reduce incidences of human-wildlife conflict and improve the carnivore’s protection). This data will be collected before and after management plans are approved and implemented, and at sites with known wildlife corridors and sites without previous data. Comparing results over time and between sites will allow SABUKO to understand whether any observed changes in lynx density or dispersal success can be attributed to the legislation and policies developed during the period.
Methods
Lynx population density is assessed annually in winter using systematic camera-trapping within two territories in the project area, Vashlovani and Chachuna. From the resulting photographs, individuals are identified using their unique coat patterns, and this information is fed into a spatially explicit capture-recapture model to determine lynx density. SABUKO partnered with NACRES, who set up a 2.5 km x 2.5 km grid across the study area, smaller than other grids used to survey lynx in Europe (Zimmerman et al. 2013; Gimenez et al. 2019) to better match the lynx’s smaller home ranges in a semi-arid environment. The first survey was conducted in February 2022, when 36 camera trap sites were selected, focusing on trails where lynx or other wildlife were likely to be active (Fig. 1).
At each site, two cameras were placed facing each other to capture both sides of the lynx for accurate coat pattern identification, particularly on the hind limbs, fore limbs, and flanks (see Fig. 2 below). Lures of valerian extract (an alternative plant extract to catnip) were placed in between the two camera traps to keep the lynx in front of the camera for longer. At least three trained observers independently identify lynx individuals using an online photographic database, whose identifications are cross-checked. Identification of individuals and data processing follow minimum camera-trapping standards reported by Choo et al (2020). Sex and age category were also recorded, when possible.
This data was then fed into a model using R using the ‘jackknife’ package to estimate lynx density, among other metrics such as Mean Maximum Distance Moved (MMDM).
Figure 1: Map showing locations of camera traps across Vashlovani and Chachuna Protected Areas.
Figure 2: Example of how lynx individuals are identified.
Results
Camera trapping was conducted over a period of 95 days, with 84 camera traps deployed, and a total of 6,241 trap days recording. Lynx were captured on 25 of 36 camera trap sites, resulting in 284 photos. In Chachuna, only three cameras on Kotsakhura Ridge detected lynx, while in Vashlovani, lynx were recorded at 22 sites (Fig. 3). Eleven individual lynx were identified: 9 in Vashlovani and 2 in Chachuna. Many other animals were detected as bycatch (Fig. 4).
Using the Jackknife model, NACRES estimated the lynx population in Vashlovani at 10 individuals (95% CI: 10-16). The MMDM was 8 km, leading to an estimated lynx density of 2.6 to 4 individuals per 100 km². SECR analysis provided a density estimate of 1.83 individuals per 100 km² (95% CI: 0.95–3.52). Data from Chachuna were insufficient for a reliable estimate.
This data collection will be repeated in 2027 to see how the lynx population changes over time.
Figure 3: Locations of lynx detected by camera trapping.
Total detections by camera traps
Figure 4: Total counts of species detected by camera traps.
Interpretation
Although comparisons with semi-arid regions in other countries suggest that the density of 10 individuals in Vashlovani is relatively low, it is important to note that lynx density has not been assessed in other regions of Georgia. This makes it difficult to draw direct comparisons within the country. Moving forward, SABUKO’s goal is to maintain this population by ensuring habitat protection and, where feasible, enhancing prey availability through improved management of grazing pressures and habitat restoration initiatives.
The limited detections in Chachuna, specifically on Kotsakhura Ridge, may be attributed to the area’s more rugged terrain and dense vegetation. Other parts of Chachuna may lack the necessary habitat features or have higher human activity levels, which could deter lynx presence.
References
Choo, Y.R., Kudavidanage, E.P., Amarasinghe, T.R., Nimalrathna, T., Chua, M.A.H., and Webb, E.L. (2020), Best practices for reporting individual identification using camera trap photographs. Global Ecology and Conservation, 24, e01294.
Gimenez O., Gatti S., Duchamp Ch., Germain E., Laurent A., Zimmermann F., Marboutin E., (2019) Spatial density estimates of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in the French Jura and Vosges Mountains. Ecology and Evolution, 9(20), 11707–11715.
Hernandez-Blanco J., Rozhnov V., Lukarevskiya, V. S., Naidenkoa, S. V., Chistopolovaa, M. D., Sorokina, P. A., Litvinovb, M. N. and Kotlyarb A. K. (2013) Spatially Explicit Capture–Recapture Method (SECR, SPACECAP): A New Approach to Determination of the Amur Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) Population Density by Means of Camera Traps. Doklady Biological Sciences, 453, 365–368.
Weingarth, K., Zeppenfeld, T., Heibl, C., Heurich, M., Bufka, L., Daniszova, K., and Muller, J. (2015). Hide and seek: extended camera-trap session lengths and autumn provide best parameters for estimating lynx densities in mountainous areas. Biodiversity and Conservation, 24, 2935-2952.
Zimmerman F., Breitenmoser-Wursten C., Molinari-Jobin A., and Breitenmoser U., (2013) Optimizing the size of the area surveyed for monitoring Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) population in the Swiss Alps by means of photographic capture-recapture. Integrative Zoology, 8(3), 232-243.
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