"The Return of Lynx to Northwestern Poland"

The project is implemented by the Western Pomeranian Nature Society together with the Mammal Research Institute of the Polish Acadamy of Sciences in Białowieża and the Cultural Center in Miroslawiec

About the project

"The Return of Lynx to Northwestern Poland"

The project is implemented by the Western Pomeranian Nature Society together with the Mammal Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Białowieża and the Cultural Center in Mirosławiec. 

The goal of this project is the restoration of lynx in the area of north-western Poland and ensuring appropriate conditions for the development of this species’ population. In order to transform the  lynx from captivity for reintroduction, we plan to use a new method which is based on the "born-to-be-free" method used in other projects, which should ensure the success of reintroduction. The main idea is to create conditions for young animals born in captivity that allow them to adapt to living in the wild, then multiply them and release mothers with their sired kittens.

The lynx will be bred here in Dzika Zagroda in Jabłonowo; in our show and breeding yard. The breeding will be based on pairs of lowland lynxes from the zoological index. This will also promote lynx and its reintroduction as a tourist attraction. The reintroduction of lynxes will be placed in previously determined optimal areas, using individuals from their own breeding and will be preceded by the preparation of young specimens in adaptation areas.
All released adult specimens will be subjected to immobilization before being placed in the pens for release, during which GPS collars will be put on them.

Detailed objectives of the project:

  1. Restoration of the populations of lowland lynx in north-western Poland
  2. Ensuring sustainable social acceptance for the lynx populations re-emerging through conflict prevention and dissemination of information
  3. Preventing the decline in the number and genetic diversity of lynx through the protection of migration patterns
  4. Limitation of human and lynx interaction

 

Entities authorized to incur expenses:

Mammal Biology Institute Polish Academy of Sciences

The Mammal Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences is an independent scientific and research unit of the Polish Academy of Sciences. It is one of the oldest scientific institutions of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the only institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Podlasie. Founded in 1952 by professor Augusta Dehnel, until 2010 he served the institution. The long-term head of the unit was prof. Zdzisław Pucek. Research conducted by the institute from the beginning of the unit, shaped the development our understanding of these animals. Research in the field of morphology, taxonomy, evolution, population genetics, mammalian ethology, and ecology conducted by the Institute is of cognitive nature, but they also find application in nature protection and management of animal populations.

Cultural Center in Miroslawiec

The Culture Center in Mirosławiec is a self-governing cultural institution operating in Mirosławiec. It's activities include: the Regional Center of the European Wisent, the House of Culture, the Museum of the Fight for the Pomeranian Wall, library and lounge.

This center organizes many events in the city, including the Bison Festival.

For more information, please visit: http://www.okwm.pl/

We are supported by:

WWF Poland

An international and non-governmental organization was established in 1961. The mission of WWF is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and create the future in which people will live in harmony with nature. The head office is in Switzerland.

Provincial Fund for Enivironmental Protection and Water Management in Szczecin

PFEPWM in Szczecin fulfills its mission by participating in solving problems related to the protection of the environment at the local, regional, and supra-regional level. They are financing projects aimed at protecting the environment and respecting its values.

2871f84d93

WWF Poland

An international and non-governmental organization was established in 1961. The mission of WWF is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and create the future in which people will live in harmony with nature. The head office is in Switzerland.

Provincial Fund for Enivironmental Protection and Water Management in Szczecin

PFEPWM in Szczecin fulfills its mission by participating in solving problems related to the protection of the environment at the local, regional, and supra-regional level. They are financing projects aimed at protecting the environment and respecting its values.

2871f84d93

WWF Poland

An international and non-governmental organization was established in 1961. The mission of WWF is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and create the future in which people will live in harmony with nature. The head office is in Switzerland.