Lynx in France face extinction, with a population down to 150 adults at most.

By Ian Sample

February 13, 2023

Action is required immediately because DNA studies reveal that their genetic variety is so low that they may disappear from the country in 30 years.

 The large cat population in Europe is doomed to extinction, according to conservationists, unless swift steps are taken to conserve the animals.

According to researchers, France is home to 120–150 mature lynxes. Tests on the animals reveal that the genetic variety of the cats is so low that, absent immediate action, they will go extinct locally within the next 30 years.

Lynxes have historically roamed the vastness of Eurasia, but the secretive animals are now severely threatened in many nations due to habitat degradation, inbreeding, poaching, and traffic accidents.

Lynxes completely disappeared from France in the 18th century. Following a scheme for their reintroduction in Switzerland in the 1970s, some Eurasian lynxes crossed the border into France and made a new home in the Jura highlands. However, the population did not grow large enough to become stable.

Between 2008 and 2020, researchers at the Centre Athenas in eastern France collected 88 DNA samples from lynxes that were sick, deceased, or orphaned, and were able to analyse 78 of them to create a genetic profile of the population. The scientists did not get samples from healthy wild lynxes in order to not upset the animals.

An worrisome lack of genetic variety was found by the testing. Despite the fact that scientists estimate there to be more than 120 adult lynxes in France, the population only has the diversity of 38 different species. According to research author Nathen Huvier, "This population has lost a lot of genetic variety since it was reintroduced in Switzerland." In fewer than 30 years, this group will go extinct once more if fresh genetic material is not introduced.

The researchers explain how the DNA from the lynxes reveals a devastating level of inbreeding, with two mating cats now extremely likely to be closely related. They publish their findings in Frontiers in Conservation Science.

Huvier stated that a lack of genetic diversity "may lower individual fitness, lead to diseases, and reduce their capacity to adapt to environmental changes." A population with those traits "was not able to adapt," making it susceptible to collapse, he continued.

According to Huvier, the lynx was a keystone species in the area's environment since it was an apex predator. Adding more lynxes from healthier populations, such as those in Switzerland or Germany, was one strategy to increase the genetic variety of the population. However, Huvier noted that such introduction efforts were challenging politically.

Another strategy might be to swap orphaned lynx cubs being cared for at wildlife rescue facilities across the country for poached lynxes. In order to lessen the number of animals killed by cars, researchers also recommend stringent implementation of anti-poaching legislation and lynx-alerting road signage.

Huvier stated, "We want our work to complement efforts for lynx conservation. The greatest short-term methods to keep this population alive and give it a chance to grow and interact with other populations in Europe are reintroduction, replacing poached lynxes, and exchanging orphan lynxes across care centres.