Translocation

Press release from the Ministry for Rural Affairs, Agriculture and Home Affairs, Baden-Württemberg, 16 July 2026:

“The genes of the female lynx Luna enrich the gene pool of the lynx population in the state and form an important foundation for the survival of this rare species,” said the Minister for Rural Affairs, Agriculture and Local Heritage, Marion Gentges MdL, on Thursday (16 July) on the occasion of the lynx’s release into the wild on Tuesday (14 July) as part of the project to support the lynx population in Baden-Württemberg.

The state has set itself the goal of enabling lynx to repopulate Baden-Württemberg through population support, thereby facilitating genetic exchange with neighbouring lynx populations in the Swiss Jura, the Vosges or the Palatinate Forest. With its contiguous woodlands and abundant game population, the Black Forest offers ideal living conditions for the lynx. As part of the ‘Lynx Baden-Württemberg’ project, lynx are being released into the wild to give the small lynx population a helping hand. Female lynx are of central importance in strengthening the population in the long term. With Luna, the state has now released a total of six lynx. This brings the number of independent lynx currently confirmed in the Black Forest to a total of 12 animals.

The release was witnessed by a school class, who named the lynx Luna. “The lynx project is a task that spans generations. That is why it is important to us to raise schoolchildren’s awareness of wild animals, their habitats and their behaviour from an early age,” said Minister Gentges.

New lynx offspring confirmed in the region

The offspring of Verena and Reinhold – the two lynx released into the wild two years ago – are also contributing to this. Numerous hairs were recovered from a litter den previously abandoned by the female lynx Verena. Analysis at the Senckenberg Centre for Wildlife Genetics confirmed the presence of DNA from Verena and a cub. It is highly likely that the male lynx Reinhold is the father. An encounter between Reinhold and Verena during the last mating season has already been confirmed by camera trap images. Lynxes regularly change their roosting sites whilst rearing their young. This means that, following Elisabeth, a second female lynx has now also had offspring.

“The fact that, after two centuries, we are once again able to record the birth of lynx cubs in the Black Forest is the result of many years of collaboration between numerous stakeholders and partners, and shows that we are making very good progress with the project. I would like to thank everyone involved in the project and congratulate them on this success. This is species conservation in action,” emphasised Minister Gentges.

The population support project also contributes to international biodiversity conservation and the biodiversity targets of the German government and the EU.

To support the lynx population and foster the necessary public acceptance in Baden-Württemberg, the state government, scientific institutions such as the FVA, WWF Germany, Karlsruhe Zoo, the State Hunting Association and the Baden-Württemberg Lynx Initiative are working closely together. The project is supported by the Baden-Württemberg Lynx and Wolf Working Group.

Luna the female lynx boosts the chances of further offspring

Luna the female lynx comes from the European conservation breeding programme for the Carpathian lynx and is valuable for the gene pool of the still small lynx population in the Black Forest and beyond. “Both the number of animals and genetic diversity are crucial for the long-term conservation of a healthy population,” explained Prof. Dr Ulrich Schraml, Director of the Forestry Research Institute (FVA). The FVA keeps a very close eye on when the lynx catches its first prey – a sign that the animal is coping well in the wild. Luna is now one of three females in the Black Forest. With a bit of luck, she will mate with one of the resident males during the next mating season.

Scientifically monitored and actively supported

Wildlife biologists at the FVA are responsible for monitoring the lynx, a predator, in the state. All lynx released into the wild are fitted with radio collars to gather data on their behaviour, home ranges and reproduction. This makes it possible to track precisely whether and where the lynx are settling in Baden-Württemberg. In June this year, the FVA succeeded in confirming the first lynx cubs in the state for around 200 years.

Hunters play a vital role

Monitoring the lynx population is only possible through the collaboration of various stakeholders. Many records of lynx sightings come from hunters. Thanks to their regular presence in the forest and their specialist expertise, hunters are key partners in lynx monitoring.

Hunters are also committed to preserving healthy forests and ensuring habitat connectivity – measures that benefit the lynx and numerous other animal species.

“With today’s release into the wild, we are jointly sending a strong message in favour of species-rich, intact forests. Our hunters contribute their monitoring experience and regional roots. Through open dialogue, knowledge-sharing and a sense of shared purpose, we are creating the conditions for practical wildlife management,” says Elke Marko Neugebauer, District Hunting Master of the Baden-Württemberg State Hunting Association.

Zoos play a vital role in species conservation

As part of the conservation breeding programme run by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), zoos provide lynx for reintroduction into the wild. Zoo Director Dr Matthias Reinschmidt is delighted: “Luna’s release into the wild is something very special for us. It shows that our spacious, natural enclosures provide plenty of hiding places right from the start, allowing the young animals to grow up with minimal contact with humans.”

In addition, Karlsruhe Zoo operates a preparation enclosure for lynx. In this spacious woodland enclosure, far away from visitor traffic, the animals are prepared for life in the wild in the weeks leading up to their release. Luna, a female born in June 2025 at Bojnice Zoo in Slovakia, has also spent the last few months there.

Further comments on the reintroduction

Dr Sybille Klenzendorf, WWF Germany: “The Black Forest fills a key gap in the Central European lynx population. The aim is to establish interconnected, self-sustaining populations – today we are one step closer to this goal.”

Verena Schiltenwolf, Luchs-Initiative Baden-Württemberg e.V.: “For decades, the Luchs-Initiative has been campaigning for a healthy lynx population in Baden-Württemberg. This also means ensuring that the general public is informed and supports the project. That is why we work closely with local communities to raise awareness about the lynx, because knowledge helps dispel myths. Today’s release into the wild shows that broad alliances between volunteers, scientists and practitioners can make a difference – for both people and wildlife.”