Conservation of a new breeding population of Caucasian lynx (Lynx lynx dinniki) in eastern Turkey

Abstract

Current data on the distribution and ecology of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in Turkey are limited. Furthermore, lynx in theCaucasus region are likely to represent a subspecies of the Eurasian lynx, the Caucasian lynx (L. l. dinniki). Troughout its range, lynxincreasingly face threats due to human activity, with habitat loss and prey depletion being of particular concern in eastern Turkey. As partof our camera trapping eforts to monitor large carnivores in the Sarıkamış-Allahuekber National Park and surrounding forests in Kars andErzurum provinces, eastern Turkey, we have documented a breeding population of Caucasian lynx outside the species published range. Inaddition to the threats above, vehicle strikes, poaching, and guardian dogs also threaten this small population. Tere is an urgent need forecological research, awareness raising, and community-based conservation eforts focused on large carnivores in the region.