Carpathian Lynx Chapo Gain Freedom Following Escape Attempts from German Zoo
Posted on July 25, 2024
A Carpathian lynx, named Chapo, has skillfully won his freedom after a series of daring escape attempts from his enclosure in a German zoo.
Chapo, aptly named “Shorty” in Spanish despite his bold spirit, is currently exploring the wilderness of Saxony, Germany.
Originally born in Nuremberg Zoo, the ambitious one-year-old lynx was initially part of a conservation breeding program. Later, he was transferred to Harz National Park’s lynx enclosure, but not long after his arrival, Chapo managed to outsmart his keepers and escaped over the fence of his enclosure.
Following his recapture, Chapo persisted in his escape attempts, showing clear signs of discomfort within the confines of the enclosure.
In a nod to Chapo’s unyielding spirit and natural instincts, park officials made the decision to release him into the wild under the “ReLynx Saxony” project. The initiative, aimed at reintroducing lynx in Saxony, aspires to release up to 20 lynxes into the wild by 2027, effectively reestablishing a thriving lynx population in the region.
Chapo now joins three other lynxes, released earlier this spring, who have successfully adapted to their new home in the wild. These cats have comfortably established their territories in the forests of the Western Ore Mountains. As stated by the park officials, they exhibit discreet behavior and are seldom observed by humans. Each of these lynxes hunts about one deer per week, and there have been no instances of them attacking livestock.
The successful reintroduction of Chapo and his fellow lynxes symbolizes a significant leap forward in the efforts to revive a flourishing lynx population in Saxony, Germany. It’s noteworthy that all lynxes presently living freely in Germany owe their freedom to similar reintroduction initiatives.
As a species, the lynx enjoys stringent protection under both European and national laws, reinforcing the importance of these conservation efforts.
