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Myslajek, R.W.; Nowak, S.
Selected elements of ecology and conservation issues of the Eurasian lynx (_Lynx lynx)_ in landscape parks of the Western Carpathians. (Wybrane elementy ekologii oraz problemy ochrony rysi Lynx lynx w parkach krajobrazowych Beskid¢w Zachodnich)
2003  Full Book

There are three landscape parks (LP) in the westernmost part of Polish Carpathians: the îywiecki LP (358,7 km2), the LP of the Silesian Beskid Mountains (386,2 km2) and the LP of the Beskid Maüy Mountains (257,7 km2). Eurasian lynx _(Lynx lynx_) is strictly protected in the entire Poland since 1995 due to intensive campaign conducted by non-governmental organizations. Earlier, these NGO-s forced local authorities to reduce a hunting season for lynx to one day in a former Bielsko-Biaüa province, which encompassed also westernmost part of the Polish Carpathians. This regulation prevented lynx hunting one year before the formal strict protection in Poland was introduced. During hunting seasons 1986/87 - 1993/94, 12 individuals were killed in landscape parks of the Western Carpathians. Some hunting trophies (4 furs and 3 skulls) taken from local lynx were awarded on hunting exhibitions. The lynx survey conducted in winter 2000/01 revealed 9 individuals in the îywiecki LP and 1 individual in the Silesian Beskid LP. Preliminary studies on lynx diet, based on their kills (n=18) collected during winter tracking (1997-2002), showed that lynx prey mainly on roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) (83%), and rarely eat red deer (Cervus elaphus) (17%). Only one case of depredation on sheep was recorded. Winter tracking also showed that lynxes in the îywiecki LP regularly cross a state border between Poland and Slovakia. The most important conservation issues for the local lynx population are: disruption of ecological corridors linking landscape parks due urbanization and development of transport infrastructure; habitat fragmentation and intensive development of tourist infrastructure. There are also potential threats connected with livestock depredation, poaching and improper hunting management of roe deer population.

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