First camera-trap survey in the national park mavrovo, macedonia

In the frame of the “Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme”, a camera-trapping survey was performed in the Mavrovo National Park, Macedonia from 26.02. until 26.04.2008. The aim of the survey was to gain data on the distribution and minimal number of the lynx population in the National Park (730 km2), which is considered as a core area of the Balkan lynx population. The study area was divided into 2.7 x 2.7 km grid cells. A total number of 32 grid cells were selected in an area of 432 km2. In each grid cell the most appropriate and “promising” site where lynx was supposed to pass by (forest roads, hiking and game trails) was chosen. Two opposite “Stealthcam” camera-traps were installed at each site in order to record both flanks of the animal. As an attractant a pole with Valeriana (Valeriana officinalis dilution) was set between the two cameras. The cameras were checked for a function control, change of batteries and, if needed, change of film every 8 days. The survey ran over 60 trap nights. The first camera-trap survey in Macedonia resulted in 29 lynx photographs from eight camera-trapping sites. Preliminary data analysis showed the presence of at least 7 to 10 different individuals. There are two photographs with two individuals at the same time. Besides lynx, bear, wolf, red fox, wildcat, badger, wild boar, chamois, roe deer and brown hare photographs were taken, which is a good evidence of the presence of lynx prey and other carnivores in the park. The first photographs of the Balkan lynx ever taken in this area are a solid proof for the existence of this critically endangered subspecies.