Eurasian lynx have been reintroduced across parts of Europe, but habitat fragmentation, traffic mortality, and prey availability constrain welfare and population viability.
Lynx welfare in managed landscapes is constrained by the mismatch between their ecological requirements and the fragmented, human-dominated territories available to them. Lynx with inadequate territories show elevated stress hormones, reduced hunting success, and higher disease susceptibility. Road mortality kills significant proportions of young dispersing males, who must travel through connected habitats to find mates and establish territories. Wildlife crossings — passages under or over major roads — demonstrably increase lynx movement and survival where they have been constructed. Illegal killing, though prohibited, remains a threat in many range countries. Coexistence with livestock is an ongoing challenge; compensation schemes and guardian dogs reduce retaliatory killing.