Six lynx were killed during the first hunting season for lynx and bears in Belarus, Belarusian Society of Hunters and Fishermen Chairman Ihar Shunevich said, BelTA reported.
According to him, this accounted for about 10% of the allocated hunting quota. Shunevich said the lynx population increases by around 100 to 150 animals annually.
“Its population continues to grow steadily year after year, and this trend has been observed for several decades, which contributed to the opening of the hunting season. A total of six animals were harvested, although the annual increase in the lynx population is around 100 to 150 animals. Such figures pose no threat to the conservation of the species,” he said.
According to Shunevich, the bear population is also continuing to grow by several hundred animals each year.
“The several dozen bears planned to be harvested, in our assessment, have no impact on the overall population of the species. We were unable to harvest 100% of the allocated quota. This shows that there is no threat of a sharp decline in the animal population as a result of opening the hunting season.
Moreover, today unique phenomena are being observed in Belarus’ wild bear population. For example, females with three or four cubs have been recorded, which is considered extremely rare from the standpoint of the species’ biology. This indicates that the population is in good condition: reproduction is taking place, there is an abundant food supply, hunting pressure is minimal and there are no external predators,” the head of the society said.
The lynx and the bear have dual conservation status in Belarus. They are classified both as game animals and as wild animal species included in the Red Book of Belarus.
