Translocation

Press release from the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Food, Rural Affairs, and Consumer Protection, July 25, 2025:

"For centuries, the lynx was native to our forests until it was driven out. Today, the lynx is highly endangered in Central Europe. The population support project in Baden-Württemberg is helping to enable the animals to return permanently to their traditional habitat. The release of healthy, carefully selected and prepared lynxes is essential for this. Martin the lynx can help this fascinating species to repopulate the Black Forest permanently, as it once did. I am delighted that we have been able to release another lynx into the wild today, taking the ‘Lynx Baden-Württemberg’ project one step further," said Peter Hauk, Minister of Food, Rural Affairs, and Consumer Protection, on Friday (July 25) at the release in the northern Black Forest.

Lynx Martin raises hopes for offspring
At the end of 2024, the project team led by Eva Klebelsberg from the Baden-Württemberg Forest Research Institute (FVA) released Verena the lynx and Reinhold the lynx into the northern Black Forest. “Both animals have settled very well in the area,” says the biologist. “Martin is a lynx that is genetically well suited to enriching the lynx population in the Black Forest and neighboring areas.”

Dr. Micha Herdtfelder, head of the lynx and wolf department at the FVA, adds: "We very much hope that Martin will also settle in well. Together with five other lynxes that have migrated naturally in recent years, the number of lynxes in the Black Forest now rises to a total of eight animals."

Zoos play an important role in species conservation
Martin was born in June 2024 at Nuremberg Zoo. Since the beginning of March 2025, he has been living in the newly built coordination enclosure in the Oberwald animal park at Karlsruhe Zoo, where he has had minimal contact with humans and has been prepared as well as possible for life in the wild. Financial support from the WWF and the Karlsruhe Zoo Species Conservation Foundation made it possible to build the enclosure, which is unique in Baden-Württemberg. “It's a particularly emotional moment for me,” explains Prof. Dr. Matthias Reinschmidt, Director of Karlsruhe Zoo. “The animal has lived with us in the coordination enclosure for several months and has been prepared for release into the wild. Now he is in the Black Forest and will help ensure that the lynx has a future in nature here. It's very moving.”

The two zoos mentioned above participate in the European Endangered Species Program (EEP) – also known as the European Conservation Breeding Program – of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) for the Carpathian lynx. The program aims to maintain a genetically diverse population of lynx. In addition, the two zoos meet further requirements to be able to make lynxes from this program available for release into the wild. “Lynx offspring from zoological institutions are important for increasing the gene pool of populations in the wild and ensuring offspring through the release of female animals,” emphasizes Eva Klebelsberg.

Scientific support is key
In various tests prior to release, Martin demonstrated the required pronounced avoidance behavior toward humans and dogs.

The animal is also already able to consume whole carcasses. The veterinarians at Karlsruhe Zoo thoroughly examined and vaccinated Martin once again before his release into the wild. He was then fitted with a transmitter by the FVA. This transmitter will enable valuable information to be gathered about how the lynxes use their habitat. Monitoring is therefore an important part of the project.

Hunters provide active support
Local hunters play a particularly important role in monitoring the lynxes. They are the eyes and ears in the forest and support the project with their expertise and local knowledge, for example by reporting sightings and other signs of lynxes. They also pass on their knowledge about lynxes to the local population.

Cooperation between hunters and the project has been excellent so far. “Hunters are also committed to protecting species under the Hunting and Wildlife Management Act,” said State Hunting Master Dr. Jörg Friedmann, adding: “In addition to supporting the population, improving and expanding migration corridors, for example by creating more green bridges in the state, is essential for the lynx.”

Further comments on the reintroduction
Dr. Sybille Klenzendorf, WWF Germany: "The last lynx was exterminated in Baden-Württemberg over 180 years ago. Now we can finally celebrate its return. So far, there are only three permanent lynx populations in Germany: in the Palatinate Forest, the Harz Mountains, and the Bavarian Forest. The WWF supports reintroduction projects to promote the interconnection of populations. Our goal is to connect the individual populations throughout Europe.“

Verena Schiltenwolf, Luchs-Initiative Baden-Württemberg e.V.: ”Lynx population support in Baden-Württemberg is well underway, and it is very important to reintroduce more animals quickly. We therefore very much welcome the fact that another animal is now able to reclaim its natural habitat in the Black Forest.“

Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schraml, Forest Research Institute (FVA): ”How wonderful that the years of preparation by the FVA team are bearing fruit with another successful release into the wild! Research, monitoring, and knowledge transfer are key components for the conflict-free return of large predators to Baden-Württemberg. The constructive cooperation of all stakeholders in the Baden-Württemberg Lynx Working Group is making a significant contribution to promoting acceptance of the animals among the various interest groups. A complete success!"

Dr. Kristina Vogt, coordinator of the Linking Lynx expert network: "The selection and preparation of the lynx was carried out according to strict criteria developed by the Linking Lynx expert network. We are delighted that the lynx has now been released into the wild. Supporting the lynx population in the Black Forest is very important for better connectivity between lynx populations in Western and Central Europe.“

Dr. Jörg Beckmann, Deputy Director of Nuremberg Zoo: ”We are delighted to be able to support our neighbors in Baden-Württemberg with a Nuremberg lynx in the reintroduction of Europe's largest cat species."

Background information:
The lynx is highly endangered in Central Europe. For this reason, the project “Lynx Baden-Württemberg – Supporting the lynx population in Baden-Württemberg and neighboring regions” was launched in 2023. The four-year project aims to lay the foundation for a healthy, stable lynx population in the Black Forest that is capable of surviving independently and connecting with neighboring populations in the Swiss Jura, the Vosges, and the Palatinate Forest to form a meta-population.

By the end of 2027, around ten animals, mainly females, are to be released into the wild as part of the project. The state government is working closely with the Baden-Württemberg Forest Research Institute (FVA), Karlsruhe Zoo, WWF Germany, the Baden-Württemberg State Hunting Association, and the Baden-Württemberg Lynx Initiative as a consortium on this project. The project is also funded by the alosa Foundation and supported by the “Lynx and Wolf Baden-Württemberg” working group. The common goal is to support the lynx population in the state and promote the necessary acceptance of lynx in Baden-Württemberg.