The photo that tells us why to be optimistic about the Eurasian lynx

There is hope for the future of the lynx in the Alps. This is demonstrated by the birth of two cubs born to Talìa, one of three female Eurasian lynx released in May 2023 as part of the ULyCA2 (Urgent Lynx Conservation Actions) project in Tarvisio, Italy. In recent days, in fact, technicians from the Italian Lynx Project and volunteers involved in monitoring documented the breeding of Thalia, which had established its territory in the Slovenian Julian Alps after release.
Thanks to information from the radio collar, it was possible to locate the den and ascertain the presence of the two cubs. Genetic samples taken from the cubs will be useful in identifying the litter's sire and will allow, if resampled in the future, monitoring movements and survival of the new hatchlings over the next few years.
The ULyCA2 project, actively supported by WWF and involving the Carabinieri Forestali and Progetto Lince Italia, aims to strengthen the small lynx population in the Eastern Alps, with the goal of creating a viable population of this predator in our country as well. The first step to achieve the ambitious goal was the translocation in spring 2023 of 5 individuals (3 females and 2 males) to the Italian Julian Alps. The species is threatened by its small population size and consequent genetic impoverishment, widespread environmental fragmentation in the Alps, and illegal killing, as demonstrated by the sad case of Sofia, another of the females released last year and killed by a gunshot in Austria.
The extraordinary news of the birth of the two cubs confirms that the path taken is the right one. WWF confirms its frontline commitment and will support activities to rebuild the lynx population in the Eastern Alps over the next 3 years, from 2025 to 2027. The effectiveness of the actions put in place increases the hope of seeing the lynx occupy a primary role in environmental balances again as a top predator in the mountain ecosystems of our Alps.