Occurrence of large carnivores – Lynx lynx, Canis lupus, and Ursus arctos – and of Felis silvestris in the Czech Republic and western Slovakia in 2012–2016 (Carnivora)

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>In the last decades, large carnivores – the grey wolf (<jats:italic>Canis lupus</jats:italic>), Eurasian lynx (<jats:italic>Lynx lynx</jats:italic>) and brown bear (<jats:italic>Ursus arctos</jats:italic>), and to a certain extent also the wildcat (<jats:italic>Felis silvestris</jats:italic>) – have increased their distribution ranges throughout Europe. Monitoring of their current distribution and population trends in the Czech Republic is crucial for the effective conservation and elimination of possible conflicts with humans in the future. In the last years, many projects focused on small-scale monitoring of large carnivores were implemented in the Czech Republic and the neighbouring mountain ranges of Slovakia. Using their results, we compiled the dataset from different regions and analysed the recent distribution of large carnivores and the wildcat. The distribution maps are based on verified data on the presence and reproduction in 2012–2016. This is consistent with the standardized methodology used across Europe. The Eurasian lynx was the most widespread of all large carnivore species in the Czech Republic, with the two trans-boundary populations (Carpathian and Bohemian-Bavarian-Austrian) occupying 94 out of 868 squares (10.8%) of the mapping grid of the Czech Republic. Reproduction was confirmed in 46.8% of the occupied squares. The grey wolf occupied 6.8% of the squares in the Czech Republic and its reproduction was confirmed in 10.2% of the occupied squares. Three reproducing packs belonging to the Central European lowland population were confirmed and the area occupied by the species increased three times within the study period. The brown bear occupied 2.8% of the squares of the Czech Republic – the area is restricted to the Carpathians – with no signs of reproduction; its distribution fluctuated heavily during the study period. The wildcat occupied the smallest range of the Czech Republic among the studied species (1.4% of the squares) but its reproduction was confirmed in a trans-boundary area (White Carpathians) at the Slovakian side of the border. The wildcat also significantly increased its range from one to six squares during the study period.</jats:p>

Multi-seasonal systematic camera-trapping reveals fluctuating densities and high turnover rates of Carpathian lynx on the western edge of its native range

“…In the Kysuce site, permanent presence and long-term reproduction of Eurasian lynx, grey wolf (Canis lupus) and brown bear (Ursus arctos) was recorded, while in the Javorníky site, only lynx and wolf reproduction was documented. In the Beskydy site, only lynx reproduction was confirmed during the study period 32 , author´s unpublished data.…”

“…Reliable identification of captured animals (see Fig. S2-Photographic database of independent lynx) was ensured by using a detailed photodatabase of lynx individuals collected during the opportunistic camera-trapping (from 2009 in Beskydy and Javorníky, from 2013 in Kysuce) conducted throughout the year as well as by using data from previous deterministic surveys in all study sites 32,[44][45][46] . Multiple photos were obtained, especially at marking sites, allowing us to assign both body flanks to one individual.…”

“…Identification of individuals and data processing followed minimum camera-trapping standards reported by Choo et al 47 . Sex and age category of individuals was determined from clearly visible genital parts and captures of leading females with kittens in the pictures, as well as from videos gained through previous deterministic and opportunistic camera-trapping 32,[44][45][46] or through genetic analyses 29 . Lynx individuals detected during the five seasons of deterministic camera-trapping were divided according to their social status into three different categories: adult (A)-individual older than two years that was present for at least 12 months in the study site (territorial lynx) 29 ; subadult (S)-independent individual in the second year of life with well-known life history (known mother and birth year); not determined status (ND)-all other individuals with unknown or not determined status (Table S2).…”

“…1). The "Beskydy" site is situated at the edge of the most western range, the site "Kysuce'' is near the core of West-Carpathian lynx distribution and breeding stronghold in Slovakia [30][31][32] ) and the site "Javorníky" is situated in the middle of this edge-core gradient (Fig. 1).…”

“…One camera with white flash or infrared camera (Cuddeback Ambush, Cuddeback C123, Cuddeback H20 IR, Cuddeback Green Bay, USA; Browning Spec Ops Advantage, Browning Morgan, USA) was installed at each camera-trapping site. Selection of camera sites with the highest probability of lynx detection was based on our previous knowledge obtained by snow tracking and opportunistic camera-trapping (game trails, marking sites and rocky ridges 32,44,45 ).…”