Help WWF bring the lynx back to Bulgaria

Which large carnivores inhabit Bulgaria’s wilderness, what is the proper behavior when encountering a lynx, bear, or wolf, and what is ecological connectivity—these and other questions were posed in a special survey by WWF Bulgaria. The goal was to assess how well people in our country know these species and to improve understanding of how we can protect them and coexist in harmony with them.

A total of 660 people participated in the survey, 66% of whom were women and 34% men. The majority (74%) indicated that they were between the ages of 30 and 55.  

94.1% of participants said that they have never seen a lynx in the wild in Bulgaria. This is not surprising. Officially, the lynx is considered an extinct species in the country, although in recent years there have been many reports of individual lynxes crossing into Bulgarian territory from populations in Serbia, North Macedonia, or Romania. However, the lynx is primarily nocturnal and very secretive, making it difficult to spot.

Threats to large carnivores in Bulgaria

86% of survey respondents believe that the greatest threat to large carnivores in Bulgaria is the loss of their habitats. (This is also the greatest threat to these animals globally, as they require large territories.) 75% identify poaching as the leading problem, while 58% cite illegal logging as such.

It is striking that very few people cite climate change and its consequences as a threat to wildlife. In fact, these have a significant impact on large predators’ ability to survive—specifically in terms of finding food and avoiding encounters with humans.

Ecological connectivity and ‘green’ corridors

66% of survey respondents say they know what a ‘green’ corridor is. This is a relatively high figure, but the topic of ecological connectivity is so important that we must strive to raise awareness of it even further.

Ecological corridors (land-based ‘green’ corridors or water-based ‘blue’ corridors) are an essential element of ecological connectivity.

Fragmentation caused by human activities disrupts wildlife habitats and hinders their adaptation to climate change. Protected areas are a key tool for nature conservation. However, if they are fragmented, they cannot fully fulfill their role.

Science clearly demonstrates that interconnected protected areas and other biodiversity conservation zones are far more effective than isolated sites. Without connectivity, ecosystems cannot function properly.

What is WWF doing to improve ecological connectivity?

Together with its partners, WWF Bulgaria is working on a project aimed at creating climate-resilient ‘green’ corridors for large carnivores. Thanks to these corridors, the animals will be able to move freely through the Balkan, Carpathian, and Dinaric mountain ranges. They will be able to find food, shelter, and mates.

We believe that this extremely important work can help ensure that one day the lynx will return permanently to its home - the majestic forests of Bulgaria.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supports our mission!

Links:

• More about the survey on large carnivores in Bulgaria

Nowadays, we have access to more information than ever before in human history. However, this flood of data is often mixed with unreliable claims, fake news, conspiracy theories.

The topic of large predators is no exception. These charismatic species – the brown bear, the grey wolf and, of course, the Eurasian lynx - have always captured the imagination. Facts, however, are often mixed with myths and outdated beliefs, giving rise to misconceptions. In the age of social media, these misconceptions spread particularly quickly. And that has a direct link to conflicts between wildlife and humans.

To make the right decisions for everyone - both people and animals - we must first learn to always rely on facts and truth, not on false and distorted claims.

That is why WWF Bulgaria conducted an information campaign dedicated to debunking the most widespread myths about large carnivores (including the lynx). Here are some of the misconceptions we talked about:

MYTH 1: When large carnivores appear in a certain area, they kill all the game in it.

Ecosystems have their own regulatory mechanisms that prevent predators from completely depleting their food resources.

Predators and their prey have undergone a long evolutionary journey together, constantly competing with each other. This is reflected in the appearance, biology, and behavior of the species. Animals that are prey to predators do not stand idly by and wait to become victims. They are often faster and more resilient, living in groups to detect danger earlier and spread the risk among themselves, and in many cases are "equipped" with sharp horns, hooves, or other features that help them defend themselves.This is well illustrated by the fact that the success rate of hunting is relatively low for both wolves and lynxes - around 10-20%. In other words, they successfully catch their prey only 1-2 times out of 10 attempts.  

MYTH 2: There are not enough large wild areas for large carnivores in modern day Europe.

It is a fact that bears, wolves, and lynxes are territorial animals and need large spaces. In the past, these species were pushed into more inaccessible mountainous and forested areas where population density was relatively low, and infrastructure development lagged (e.g., the Carpathians).

Although some species, such as the lynx, are more sensitive to human presence, in recent decades we have seen that more of the former ranges of large predators are being repopulated by them.

It seems that large predators are highly adaptable, and their presence is mainly influenced by the availability of food and shelter, the tolerance of the local population towards them, and effective legal protection.

MYTH 3: Large carnivores do not benefit nature; they only cause problems.

Large carnivores have several beneficial effects on their habitats, on the populations of other species, and on entire regions. They contribute to the formation and maintenance of more diverse and sustainable ecosystems. They improve the health of wild populations by removing weaker individuals and limiting the spread of disease. They can also prevent or limit the spread of invasive species.

But their positive impact has other dimensions as well. Their way of life and behavior define them as "umbrella" species—their protection supports broader conservation goals, even benefiting less "popular" species and habitats.

MYTH 4: Large carnivores are often aggressive toward humans.

Aggression by large predators towards humans is extremely rare. Bear attacks have been documented in a few isolated cases and under specific circumstances in Northern Europe and the Balkans (usually as a defense mechanism – protection of cubs or territorial competition). In the 21st century, there has not been a single recorded attack by a wolf on a human in Europe.

Large predators generally avoid contact with humans. The lynx, for example, is a very secretive animal, active mainly at night – it is very rare for a person to even catch a glimpse of it, let alone have a close encounter with it.

Lynxes, bears and wolves have always been symbols and ambassadors of European and Bulgarian nature. It is our duty to protect them and their habitat by finding ways to coexist in harmony.

Our heartfelt thank-you to everyone who supports our mission to create a safe natural environment for the lynx and other wildlife!

Links:

• More myths about large carnivores like the lynx