The Azjatka- female lynx was released into the wild as a one-year-old cat in October 2020 as part of the project „Return of the lynx to northwestern Poland” conducted by the West Pomeranian Nature Society. She adapted to the wild without any problems, and we were able to track her hunting successes thanks to the telemetry collar that was fitted on her.
In the spring of the following year, we were overjoyed to confirm that the female had begun to breed and gave birth to three kittens. Azjatka was an excellent mother, diligently guarding her young. Most attempts to locate the female with her kittens ended with just a „drive to the forest.”
In addition to the staff of the ZTP Field Team, care for the Azjatka and her kittens was provided by Andrzej Bejger from the Złocieniec Forest District.
After 1.5 years, it was time to replace the lynx’s collar, as the current one had stopped working. During the collar replacement for Azjatka, we discovered scabies! Unfortunately, previous experiences of the ZTP indicate that this is a insidious disease that gradually destroys the animal’s body over time and is a direct cause of its death. Azjatka was given appropriate medication; however, a decision was made not to capture her due to the kittens, which would not survive in the wild without their mother—they were only 7 months old. Unfortunately, we were aware that the kittens could also be infected, and if they were not yet, it was only a matter of time. We attempted to treat Azjatka in the wild by administering medication with an applicator, but unfortunately, this method proved to be ineffective. The disease began to progress drastically, and as we feared, the kittens were also infected. They looked worse and worse, became weaker, and started to lose their fur.
We decided to capture the entire lynx family. Left to their own devices, they would have no chance of survival. The task turned out to be more difficult than we had anticipated; however, our previous experience and skills allowed us to successfully carry out three lynx capture operations (although there were definitely more attempts). We could always count on the help of Mr. Andrzej, who knew the area and the habits of Azjatka very well. The first kitten was captured in early February of this year, and the next one less than a week later. They were two females. Both were taken to the rehabilitation center in Stobnica, where appropriate treatment was immediately initiated.
Two weeks after capturing the young lynxes, we caught Azjatka, who also ended up at the same rehabilitation center in very poor physical condition. Unfortunately, we were unable to save the third kitten of Azjatka.
The treatment lasting several weeks proved to be effective. All three are now healthy and have returned to nature. Yesterday (April 7, 2022), all three lynxes were fitted with telemetry collars and released back into the wild at the location from which they were previously captured—they returned home! The daughters of Azjatka were named Asia and Anabel. We will closely monitor the further activities of the lynxes in the wild. Soon, Asia and Anabel should leave their mother and take over their territory, likely in close proximity to Azjatka.
We thank Mr. Andrzej Bejger and WWF Poland for their cooperation 😀
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