We congratulate co-author Jonas Schultze-Naumburg, member of the Spatial Simulation research group, on his brand-new paper in the journal Biological Conservation! By the means of a spatially explicit simulation model the paper helps to understand the drivers behind the observed, stagnating lynx population dynamics in Central Europe. Sadly, the share of poached animals is shown to be higher than natural mortality. Consequently, the Central European lynx population will not survive unless illegal hunting is significantly reduced. If National Parks managed to enforce hunting bans of these legally protected cats, the survival probability would rise. However, long-term survival also depends on safe migration routes between the still isolated populations.

Jonas’ involvement in this research originated in an internship at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research with the group of Dr. Kramer-Schadt.