The welfare and survival of Eurasian lynx populations depend heavily on prey availability, particularly roe deer and hares, which fluctuate with habitat quality and hunting pressure.
Lynx that cannot secure sufficient prey face prolonged hunger, weakness, and eventual starvation. Young lynx dispersing from maternal territories are particularly vulnerable when prey is scarce, as they lack established hunting territories. Prey depletion from unsustainable deer hunting or habitat degradation reduces lynx body condition and reproductive success. Retaliatory killings by farmers who lose livestock to hungry lynx create additional mortality pressure. Conservation programs that maintain healthy ungulate populations, reduce illegal killing, and support coexistence measures improve both lynx welfare and population viability.