Mortality in the Eurasian lynx population in Croatia over the course of 40 years

摘要: Abstract The combination of intensive persecution, habitat loss and prey deficiency led to the extinction Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in Dinaric Mountains at beginning 20th century. In 1973, population was re-established by reintroducing animals from Slovakian Carpathian into Slovenia, where spread Croatia Bosnia Herzegovina. Since end century reintroduced has been decreasing, leading us investigate principal causes mortality. Understanding declining elsewhere is important not only its own right but also because few studies have examined how large carnivore populations fared under different management regimes. After reintroduction, first dead recorded 1978, that year until 2013 a total 232 deaths were recorded. Annual mortality during this period averaged 6.4 per year, ranging 0 17. number lynxes found every before legal protection (1978–1998) significantly higher than after (1998–2013). vast majority human-related (92.7%), with 2.1% human-related; while cause remaining 5.2% undetermined. Shooting most dominant death (73.7%), more males being killed shooting females, shot protection. Between 1978 1998, when became legally protected Croatia, 10 due poaching recorded, accounting for 5% all an average 0.48 cases year. During 1999–2013, 18 occurred, 60% 1.2 Our findings suggest synergy human-induced mortality, concomitant reduction genetic variation possibly may be factors behind decline since