Experts from Balkani Wildlife Society found another proof that lynx (Lynx lynx) returns in Bulgaria. Footprints of a young individual were photographed only 30 km from Sofia in Dragoman Municipality. This indicates that lynx occupies more new territories in the country, especially near our western border.
Existing information on the species in Bulgaria is very scarce. For the first time the presence of lynx in Bulgaria was registered in 1862 and is considered definitely extinct from our country since 1941.
From then until 1999, observed individuals or found traces of the activity of species were periodically reported in different areas. The information comes mainly from local people, but evidence is lacking.
Only in winter 2002/2003 Balkani Wildlife Society team recorded traces of lynx in central western Bulgaria. Now it is known for certain that the species returnes to the country but additional, detailed and long-term studies are required.
In 2008 a project of Balkani for collecting samples for hair analysis and study of lynx was implemented. The presence of the species was proved in Western Stara planina , based on DNA analysis of hair (90% confidence).
Indisputable evidence for the presence of lynx are the pictures of 2 individuals made by photo traps in Osogovo mountain in 2008 and 2009.