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Chilling out after a meal
‘The Eurasian lynx can catch prey that weighs four times as much as it does! To catch its prey, it pounces on it. Once it has had its fill, the lynx settles down for a rest amongst the bushes or in a tree.’
Discover in real lifeHabitat:
Europe en Asia
Food:
deer, red deer, rabbits and birds
Lifespan
14 to 17 years
Weight:
15 to 28 kg
Number of youngsters:
1 to 4 youngsters
Carrying time:
2 to 2.5 months
IUCN Status:
safe
EEP:
yes
About the Eurasian lynx
By around 1950, the lynx had almost completely disappeared from Europe. There were only 700 animals left in the wild. This was mainly because they were heavily hunted. Since then, hunting lynx has been banned. New habitats have also been created and lynx have been reintroduced in various locations. Now there are around 10,000 of these animals living in Europe again
As the name suggests, the Eurasian lynx lives in Europe and Asia. Here, the animals hunt roe deer, red deer, rabbits and birds. They live for 14 to 17 years and weigh 15 to 28 kilograms. They have 1 to 4 cubs and have a gestation period of 2.5 months.
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Species Conservation in Eindhoven Zoo
Fortunately, the IUCN status of the Eurasian lynx is ‘safe’, but did you know that more than 10,000 animal species are at risk of extinction? Eindhoven Zoo collaborates with approximately 325 European zoos to conserve these species. We form the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). Through management programs (EEP’s), we ensure healthy backup populations.
The Eurasian lynxes in Eindhoven Zoo are also part of an EEP. A coordinator keeps a studbook of the species and manages the population in zoos. Together with a committee, the coordinator provides advice on which animals may breed together. Sometimes, this means that an Eurasian lynx relocates to another zoo. This way, we increase the chances of healthy offspring and the survival of the species. You can recognize species with an EEP by the logo of a rhinoceros with calf.