Le Figaro Lyon
A hell of a cat weighing around thirty kilos photographed in the Lyon night.
The photo trap of hunters in the commune of Curis-au-Mont-d'Or made it possible to identify the presence of a lynx, since December, in the forest located about ten kilometers north of Lyon .
The animal's unique tasks made it possible to identify it as lynx 2809, named Blaise, and followed for several months by associations which had spotted its presence in Beaujolais.
“We have not had direct contact, it is very rare in fact, but in December, we were surprised to see this animal by observing the photo traps provided by the hunters' federation and the region in order to monitor populations of predators and game,
says François Lame, president of the Curis-au-Mont-d'Or hunting society.
It was barely a hundred meters from the houses
.
Also read: The great return of the Iberian lynx
Eater of deer, no man
Deer remains have confirmed this presence for several weeks.
It's the lynx's guilty pleasure, along with the fox.
No risk for humans, however, any more than for cattle and horses, insists Floriane Tanneur, a volunteer from AssoCohab who documents the presence of the lynx.
His identification was not easy given his winter overweight.
“Lynxes are 10 kilos fatter in winter, with longer hair, before returning to their slender appearance at the end of the rutting period, at the end of spring
,” explains Floriane Tanneur.
Lynx 2809 has been monitored for several months.
AssoCohab
Risk of collisions
Specialists are surprised by Blaise's departure from a very wild environment that he loves for more anthropized spaces.
They warn of the risk of road collision.
And fear the influx of curious people.
“Given the risks weighing on the long-term viability of the species due to the low genetic diversity of populations, each individual counts
,” underlines AssoCohab
.
Please respect the tranquility of this animal so as not to increase the risk of road collision
.
The Monts d’Or mixed union, aware of his presence, remains vigilant.
Partner search
The animal could in any case leave quite quickly.
“He seems to like it with us since he stayed.
The Monts d'Or biotope is favorable because it is calm with terrain that is difficult to access, but it will be limited in terms of food
,” notes François Lame.
“There is little chance that he will stay in the sector for long
,” confirms Floriane Tanneur.
Especially since the species is known to live on a territory of 200 square kilometers.
The rutting period having begun, the animal will continue to look for a female to reproduce.
Only one other individual is known in the department, which could nevertheless have more.
Her gender has not been identified.
Blaise might therefore have to look further afield, towards Ain or even Jura, a breeding ground for the species.