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Prospekt News

Photo 1. A smartphone photo of Burni Zip the Lynx, taken from a distance of 10-15 metres, around 2 p.m. on 25 February 2017, in the broader region of Mahavica above Vinodol (Photo by Živa Furlan)

A few days ago, Mr Tomislav Furlan contacted us to report his close encounter with a lynx carrying a GPS tracking collar around its neck. The encounter took place in the broader region of Mahavica, at the edge of Vinodol, one of the most beautiful and best preserved nature areas in the County of Primorje and Gorski Kotar…

BURNI ZIP THE LYNX PHOTOGRAPHED IN THE MAHAVICA REGION

The lynx in question is a male, about three years old, named Burni Zip. It got its name from the Burni Bitoraj mountain range where it was caught and fitted with a GPS tracking collar (see: http://www.ju-priroda.hr/novosti.asp?iddb=134 ).

This is how Mr Furlan describes his close encounter with the lynx, the largest European cat: “On Saturday we went by car to visit the overlooks above Vinodol. After visiting the Mahavica overlook, we drove on to the next one. When we passed the highest point in the road that was covered in snow, we came upon a straight part of the road and it was from here that we noticed the animal, some 50 metres away. It stopped in its tracks and then took shelter under a nearby tree. Cautiously, we approached the lynx and took a photo of it. We watched it for about 30 seconds. Then slowly, with no hurry, it walked away from our car.”

Some time ago, the preserved regions stretching along the edge of Vinodol were recognized as valuable natural assets in need of protection. Since then, these regions have been included in spatial plans and are intended for protection as part of a special reserve. One section of this area has been included in EU Ecological Network NATURA 2000.

Commonly known as a timid animal, the lynx usually seeks, and lives in, the best preserved wilderness areas and stays away from people. This sighting of a lynx on the edge of Vinodol reinforces our conviction of the need to provide protection to one of the most beautiful parts of the County in terms of nature and landscapes. We convey our thanks to Mr Furlan for his report and photographs. This data about the lynx will be entered into the national large-carnivore database.

M.M. and M. R.

Related topics on PI Priroda’s web pages:

http://www.ju-priroda.hr/novosti.asp?iddb=190

http://www.ju-priroda.hr/novosti.asp?iddb=154

http://www.ju-priroda.hr/novosti.asp?iddb=153

http://www.ju-priroda.hr/novosti.asp?iddb=152

http://www.ju-priroda.hr/novosti.asp?iddb=134