The lynx is a large wild forest cat. Lynxes occur in all forested districts of the region, inhabiting remote woodlands near swamps, where the darker coniferous and mixed forest tracts with thick underbrush, shrubs and entanglements remain. These cats have good eyesight and hearing, and are deft and silent runners; they can lie in wait, suddenly lunge and grab the prey. Lynxes are nocturnal. In the winter, the species moves unhampered across the snow owing to the broad and furry paws. It preys on hares, mouse-like rodents and forest birds. In starving times, the animal is nomadic. The opinions that lynxes attack people hold no proof, as there were no such facts reported in the region. Only a wounded lynx, when defending, can be dangerous. The common lynx is valuable for bio-communities: its positive role in selection of the white hare, hazel hens and other animals is widely acknowledged.
Formerly widespread in Western Europe, lynxes completely disappeared from there 150 ago. Here, lynxes are scarce at present. In the past (1961-1963) 83 to 99 hides per year were procured. In 1989-90, only 18-19 hides were procured to the collection units. The dramatic drop in the population of lynx in our forests is caused by intensive hunting, and logging coniferous trees, therefore, in order to preserve the species, it is necessary to protect its habitats, and limit or completely ban lynx hunts.
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