Eurasian Lynx

The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is Europe’s largest wild cat and one of the most difficult large carnivores to observe. Romania’s Carpathian Mountains hold the continent’s strongest population, making the country a key stronghold for the species.

Population Size in Romania

Romania is home to approximately 2,000–2,200 Eurasian lynx, representing the largest national population in Europe. The entire Carpathian arc (Romania, Slovakia, Poland, and Ukraine) supports around 2,800 individuals (Molinari-Jobin et al., 2022; Carpathia, n.d.). In high-quality habitat such as the Făgăraș Mountains, densities reach 1.7 independent lynx per 100 km² (Carpathia, n.d.).

Main Prey Species

In the Romanian Carpathians, roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) form 60–80 % of the lynx diet. Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), young red deer (Cervus elaphus), and occasionally wild boar (Sus scrofa) are also taken. Hares, foxes, and ground-nesting birds are eaten when ungulates are scarce (Molinari-Jobin et al., 2022).

Lifespan and Maturity

Wild Eurasian lynx typically live 12–17 years, with females often reaching older ages than males. Sexual maturity is reached at 2 years in females and 3 years in males (Animal Diversity Web, n.d.).

Mating and Reproduction

Mating occurs between January and April. Males locate receptive females by following scent marks and vocalisations. After a gestation period of 67–74 days, females give birth to 1–4 kittens (average 2–3) in May or early June. Kittens are born blind and remain in a sheltered den for the first 6–8 weeks. The mother raises them alone; independence is reached at about 10 months (Life Lynx, 2020; Wikipedia, 2025).

Survival Rate of Young

In established Carpathian populations, first-year survival of kittens is estimated at 50–70 %. In reintroduced populations elsewhere in Europe, survival can drop below 40 % due to higher human-related mortality (Breitenmoser-Würsten et al., 2024; Molinari-Jobin et al., 2007).

Territory Size and Marking

Female home ranges in the Carpathians average 100–200 km², while adult males defend or patrol 200–280 km², depending on prey density. Territories are marked primarily with urine sprays on prominent rocks, stumps, and trees. Faeces and scrapes are used less frequently. Scent marking maintains boundaries and signals reproductive status (Okarma et al., 2007; Vogt et al., 2016).

Although the Romanian population is currently the largest and most stable in Europe, illegal killing and habitat fragmentation remain the primary threats.1,2,3 Protecting large connected forest blocks and wildlife corridors is essential for the long-term survival of the Eurasian lynx in the Carpathians.1,2

References

  1. Carpathia (n.d.) The Eurasian lynx in Romania. Available at: https://www.carpathia.org/en/wildlife/eurasian-lynx/ (Accessed: 26 November 2025).
  2. WWF Romania (n.d.) Lynx – the ghost of the Carpathians. Available at: https://wwf.ro/ce-facem/specii/râs/ (Accessed: 26 November 2025).
  3. Salvatori, V. et al. (2020) Guidelines for the conservation of large carnivores in Europe. Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe / IUCN SSC. Available at: https://www.lcie.org/large-carnivores-downloads/guidelines (Accessed: 26 November 2025).
  4. Animal Diversity Web (n.d.) Lynx lynx Eurasian lynx. Available at: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Lynx_lynx/ (Accessed: 26 November 2025).
  5. Breitenmoser-Würsten, C. et al. (2024) ‘Long-term changes in survival of Eurasian lynx in three reintroduced populations in Switzerland’, Journal of Wildlife Management. doi:10.1002/jwmg.22561
  6. Life Lynx (2020) Being social. Available at: https://www.lifelynx.eu/being-social/ (Accessed: 26 November 2025).
  7. Molinari-Jobin, A. et al. (2007) ‘Characterisation of Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx den sites and kitten survival’, Wildlife Biology, 13(4), pp. 417–429. doi:10.2981/0909-6396(2007)13[417:COELLL]2.0.CO;2
  8. Molinari-Jobin, A. et al. (2022) ‘Eurasian lynx density and habitat use in one of Europe’s strongholds, the Romanian Carpathians’, Journal of Mammalogy, 103(2), pp. 415–426. Available at: https://academic.oup.com/jmammal/article/103/2/415/6501561 (Accessed: 26 November 2025).
  9. Okarma, H. et al. (2007) ‘Home ranges of Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx in the Polish Carpathian Mountains’, Wildlife Biology, 13(4), pp. 481–487. doi:10.2981/0909-6396(2007)13[481:HROELL]2.0.CO;2
  10. Vogt, S. et al. (2016) ‘Scent-marking behaviour and social dynamics in a wild population of Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx’, Journal of Zoology, 298(3), pp. 179–189. doi:10.1111/jzo.12305
  11. Wikipedia (2025) Eurasian lynx. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_lynx (Accessed: 26 November 2025).