Lynx, Tigers and Test-tubes

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Lynx, Tigers and Test-tubes

CAT NEWS
Issue 14, Spring 1991

EDITORIAL

The European lynx dominates this issue of CAT NEWS. Long ago it was widespread, but now it survives only in tiny pockets in western Europe, where once extensive forests have been converted to human settlement. Within a few decades the pardel or Iberian lynx has been brought near to extinction by loss of habitat in Spain and Portugal. The situation is slightly better in eastern Europe. In fact, the Carpathian mountains in Czecho-Slovakia have been the source of lynx for reintroduction in Austria, France, Switzerland and Yugoslavia. Since the Carpathians extend into Romania and the USSR, they are of major importance to lynx conservation.

However, reintroductions of lynx in western Europe have highlighted the problems of putting back large predators in areas where they have been exterminated. There is strong opposition to the lynx from hunters, who see it as a rival, and from sheep farmers, who fear for their flocks. The fears have been given reality in eastern France where lynx have caused heavy loss of sheep in the past few years. Nevertheless, in Switzerland, predation on livestock has not been a major problem. Initial predation on sheep, roe deer and chamois, unused to having a predator at large, has generally dropped to what conservationists feel should be acceptable levels, provided farmers are compensated for losses.

The experience with reintroductions in Europe is relevant to discussion of similar schemes involving big cats in other parts of the world. There are few areas where they can be separated from people. Local fears of these potentially dangerous animals cannot be brushed aside, particularly in democratic countries. Political changes take place too in authoritarian countries, and pent-up anger and resentment often leads to reversals of policy, which may adversely affect wildlife and nature conservation; witness Iran and earlier revolutions. Any untoward incidents inevitably strengthen the backlash against conservation which already exists in areas where people suffer from the presence of wild animals. Therefore, proposed reintroductions and translocations need very careful consideration.

The tiger is a prime example of a species reduced to small, isolated populations and thus threatened with genetic deterioration, which could lead to ultimate extinction. There has long been discussion about tackling this problem by translocating animals to provide fresh blood. But this is fraught with difficulties, notably the adverse reaction of existing populations to intruders. The success in the USA of the experiment to breed tigers using in vitro fertilization and a surrogate mother (see page 19) appears to open a relatively safe way of enhancing the genetics of small populations and giving them a new lease of life. Development of the technique and methods of its application in the wild will be anxiously awaited.

Nevertheless, the highest priority has to be given to maintaining and improving wild habitat, and managing existing populations of large predators in such a way as to minimize conflict with people.

Peter Jackson

Cat News is published twice a year by the Cat Specialist Group and mailed to Group members across the globe. Friends of the Cat Group is a project set up to enable those interested in furthering the conservation of felids, to contribute to a fund administered by the Chairman of the Cat Specialist Group, World Conservation Union (IUCN).

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