Dartmoor Zoo welcomes new lynx

Dartmoor Zoo has welcomed Emily, the Carpathian Lynx to the zoo.

Emily will serve as a new love interest for Flaviu, their resident Carpathian Lynx.

Coming from Karlsruhe Zoo in Germany, Emily made her grand entrance on Tuesday, February 27, much to the delight of zoo staff and visitors alike.

At seven years old, Emily has been carefully selected as a compatible match for Flaviu as part of the European Breeding Programme.

Professor Dr. Matthias Reinschmidt, Director of Karlsruhe Zoo said: "We are very pleased that a very nice place has been found for this lynx bred by us as part of the studbook."

Initial observations and health checks have shown Emily to be in good spirits, exhibiting a calm demeanour as she settles into her new home. 

Zoo staff will continue to monitor her well being closely, as well as facilitate introductions between Emily and Flaviu.

Both Emily and Flaviu belong to the Carpathian Lynx subspecies, which is the largest among the four species of lynx.

While the majority of this species can be found in regions such as Romania, Slovakia, Poland, and Ukraine, the population in Hungary, Serbia, and Bulgaria remains scattered.

In Europe, including Russia and Belarus, the total lynx population is estimated to be between 17,000 to 18,000 individuals, with the Carpathian Lynx species accounting for approximately 2,100 to 2,400 of this population.

Once native to the UK, lynxes were hunted to extinction around 1,300 years ago, with their last stronghold believed to have been the Scottish Highlands. 

However, recent cultural references from Welsh poetry as late as the 9th century indicate their historical presence.

Successful reintroduction efforts in countries like Switzerland, Germany, and Slovenia have sparked formal proposals to reintroduce lynxes into parts of the UK.

Advocates have argued that lynxes, as natural predators, could help control deer populations and restore overgrazed habitats, particularly forests.

David Gibson, CEO of Dartmoor Zoo, stated: "We are very excited about the arrival of Emily, our new female Carpathian Lynx. Emily was born in Karlsruhe Zoo in Germany as part of the European Breeding programme for this species."

The CEO hopes that Emily and Flaviu will form a breeding pair, contributing to the conservation efforts of this magnificent species.

David added, "It's a huge privilege for us at Dartmoor Zoo to be part of the European Lynx breeding programme. We're extremely excited at the thought of possibly welcoming new kittens, and with your support, this can be just the beginning of many more programs we can embark on."