Lynx attacks three dogs in the canton of Vaud
Published: Friday, Dec 15th 2023, 12:20
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A female lynx has attacked three dogs in recent days in the Yvonand area of the canton of Vaud. However, experts do not consider the wild cat's behavior to be problematic. The mother lynx apparently wanted to protect her cubs.
The Vaud Environment Agency is of the opinion that no measures need to be taken, as it told the Keystone-SDA news agency on Friday. The office confirmed a report in the newspaper "24 heures". According to the Vaud authorities, the attacks occurred on December 7, 8 and 11 in a large forest not far from the shores of Lake Neuchâtel near Yvonand.
In addition to protecting the cubs, the presence of a wild animal carcass during the first two attacks could also explain the lynx's behavior, the Environment Agency stated. It may have wanted to defend its prey in this way.
Scratches and bites
The female lynx scratched the backs of the three dogs and inflicted several bite wounds. "The dogs are doing better again after being treated by a vet," writes "24 heures".
This type of attack by the lynx is very rare in Switzerland, according to the Kora Foundation, which is responsible for monitoring large carnivores. As a rule, there are "between one and two" such cases per year.
According to a 2019 Kora estimate, there are around 250 individuals of this protected species in Switzerland. The large cat with the brush ears and stubby tail was reintroduced to the country around 40 years ago. Unlike the wolf, the lynx causes relatively few problems with sheep and goats. According to Kora, livestock kills by the big cat have now leveled off at between 20 and 40 per year.
©Keystone/SDA
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