Wild lynx Lucka raises three kittens in the Šumava foothills — and regularly swims across the Vltava

A wild Eurasian lynx named Lucka successfully raised three kittens last year in the foothills of Šumava — a rare occurrence that surprised even zoologists. This was reported by Tereza Mináriková of the non-profit organisation Alka Wildlife.

According to her, an adult lynx's territory usually covers around 300 square kilometres, and the ranges of different individuals, according to the scientific literature, overlap only minimally. "But here the overlap amounts to at least a third of the area, which surprised us," the zoologist noted.

It's also curious that the lynxes named Pomněnka, Amálka and Lucka are not related. "What's more, these are two older females who tolerate a younger one on their territory," added Mináriková with a smile. Each of them, she said, needs a large territory with enough prey — mainly roe deer and red deer — to feed their offspring.

Four-year-old Lucka gave birth to three kittens last year. "The average litter size in this area is two cubs, and only one of them typically survives to the age of one," the zoologist explained.

Mináriková suspects that the now-independent young lynxes may move on, for example to the Novohradské Mountains or to Austria. "What's distinctive about Lucka is that she regularly crosses the Vltava. Lynxes can swim, but we don't know exactly how she gets from one bank to the other. She might cross a bridge at night, hop across stones, or walk over the frozen river in winter," she said.

Scientists gather information about the lynxes' movements and habitats partly with the help of camera traps. It was one such camera that captured Lucka with her kittens — the organisation has already published the footage on its Facebook page.

Source: novinky.cz