Translocation

Announcement from Luchs Thüringen, 29 August 2025:

Carlo comes from Karlsruhe Zoo, where he grew up in a large, natural enclosure without direct contact with humans. After arriving in Thuringia, he initially spent some time in the reintroduction enclosure to get used to his new surroundings. As of today, he is roaming freely through the Thuringian Forest and has joined the group of lynxes that have already been released into the wild: Frieda, Viorel, Vreni, Kilian and Ionel.

Carlo will be monitored for a year with the aid of a GPS transmitter, which will provide insights into his use of space and behaviour. The collar will then fall off automatically. Only reliable data can be used to assess how successful the project is and whether a stable lynx population can be established in the Thuringian Forest in the long term. In addition, camera traps regularly provide insights into the animals' lives: For example, the lynx Frieda was recently captured on camera near Ruppberg. Data from Ionel, Kilian and Viorel also confirms that they have settled in well to their new environment.

Together with Carlo, the young lynx ‘Baron’ was also released into the wild. He had been spotted in the Bockstadt area in June and appeared emaciated. In consultation with the relevant authorities and local hunters, the ‘Luchs Thüringen’ project team decided to capture him and take him into care. Thanks to the dedicated care of the Worbis Bear Park, ‘Baron’ recovered quickly: the one-year-old male now weighs 14 kilograms and is fit for the wild again.

The coming weeks and months will show whether he will be able to find his way back into the wild. As a project team, we are glad that we were able to give him a new chance. It is now entirely up to him to seize it.