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The lynx inhabits the high altitude forests with dense cover of shrubs, reeds, and grass. Though the cat hunts only on the ground, it can climb trees and swim. Though it can be found in the northern regions of Scandinavia, it is primarily found in North America and also in pockets in the Himalayas.

The Eurasian Lynx was considered to be extinct in the wild in Slovenia and Croatia since the beginning of the 20th century, but a resettlement project which began in 1973 was a success. Today, lynx can be found in the Slovenian Alps and in the Croatian regions of Gorski Kotar and Velebit. In both countries, lynx is listed as an endangered species and protected by law. Lynx-spotting in nature can be arranged in cooperation with Croatian National Park “Risnjak”. Several lynx-resettlement projects have also been carried out successfully in various regions of Switzerland since the 1970’s. Since the 1990s, there have been numerous efforts to resettle the Eurasian Lynx in Germany. It can also be found in Białowieża Forest in northeastern Poland. The critically endangered Iberian Lynx lives in southern Spain and before, eastern Portugal. Lynx is more common in northern Europe – especially in Estonia, Finland and northern parts of Russia.

Starting in 1999, the Colorado Division of Wildlife has begun a program reintroducing a wild lynx population back to the United States. The animals’ distribution was restricted to Canada before being brought to the Colorado Rockies, where after being tagged with radio collars they frequently migrated throughout the western United States. While showing early signs of promise, biologists say it will take more than a decade to determine whether the program is a success. However, in 2006 the first case of a native-born Colorado lynx giving birth since 1999 was documented: it gave birth to 2 kittens, affirming the possibility of successful reintroduction.

In 2007 several of these lynx have been shot and killed by unknown persons. In some cases only the radio tracking collars were found, leading to suspicions of fur poaching, in other cases the animals were shot and the body left intact. (info from Wikipedia)

• Complete 07-24-2007 in 13.02 hours spread over 6 days