The Lynx still survives in Northern Europe and some parts of Asia and America but was exterminated from western Europe some time ago. Recently it has been reintroduced to parts of Germany, Switzerland and Austria, although farmers are afraid that it will effect livestock in those areas.

The Lynx tends to inhabit dense forests in mountainous areas and individual territories can often span several square kilometers.

When hunting it relies primarily on it's acute sense of hearing and vision and usually waits high in a tree, dropping onto it's prey's back. It lives mainly off rodents and birds but will take small or weak deer.

It can be distinguished from other wild cats by it's tufted ears , long legs and short tail with black tip. It's body length is around 80 -130 (cm), it can weight anywhere from 18-35Kg and has a life expectancy of about 17 years. European Lynx have bred successfully at the Centre for many years, producing between 1 and 3 cubs a year.