Last autumn, the annual Lifescape Project retreat took place in the Bavarian Forest National Park in Germany. These gatherings are an opportunity for staff and trustees to spend time together, visit inspiring wild landscapes and learn from projects that share some of the organisation’s goals. 

The Bavarian Forest is home to a host of iconic species, all contributing to making this area a rich and special landscape. Many of these species are now threatened or already lost from the UK, including the capercaillie, the European elk, and of course the Eurasian lynx. The Lifescape Project is leading The Missing Lynx Project, with many team members working on different aspects, so it was a thrill to walk in the same forest as these elusive cats. 

Lynx were lost from the Bavarian Forest through human persecution in the 19th century. A reintroduction attempt took place in the 1970s, though it was not very successful. However, lynx eventually returned to the area through natural recolonisation following a reintroduction across the border in the Czech Republic. There are now 19 known individuals in the National Park. 

Life in the forest 

Our first morning was spent at the National Park’s offices, where we met with Professor Marco Heurich (Head of the Department of National Park Monitoring and Animal Management, and chair of Eurolynx) and Dr. Joe Premier (a postdoctoral researcher on lynx and other carnivores). Joe also works on The Missing Lynx Project and Marco sits on the project’s steering group. This was a chance for us to learn about the work of the National Park.  

A fascinating presentation gave us an overview of their work with lynx, including monitoring techniques, diet assessments, and public and stakeholder perceptions. But it was also an opportunity to learn about their work with other key species, including large herbivore monitoring, a Ural owl reintroduction, and managing the impacts of the small but mighty bark beetle – which can cause a lot of damage to trees but also diversify habitats.  

It was then time to head outside for a sunny autumnal walk to see some of the restoration work currently being undertaken, surrounded by beautiful colours of pine, birch, beech and quaking aspen. 

Lynx at last 

Our next stop was a chance for us to see lynx in the flesh! The National Park Centre is home to around 40 species native to the area. The large enclosures are an opportunity for people to see some of the more elusive native species in an almost natural setting, and to learn more about them through interactive displays.  

Here we met with the keeper who told us a bit more about the lynx that call the park home. We were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the two males napping in a sunny spot from one of the viewing platforms. We were also able to visit the recently built rehabilitation enclosure. These new facilities will enable the park to take in orphaned or injured lynx and look after them until they are fit enough to be released into the wild. 

Our final stop for the day was at the National Park’s field research base where we met Martin Gahbauer, who oversees wildlife monitoring in the park. This was an opportunity for the team to talk in more detail about the practicalities of lynx monitoring, including the use of camera traps, GPS collars, snow tracking, and scat collection. We also had the chance to handle some of the equipment, such as GPS collars. 

The forest at night 

The next day we stepped away from the lynx focus to look at other important species, with a visit to a beaver pond and a fascinating walk with a fungi expert. Finally, to end our last day in this beautiful part of the world, we headed out on a hike to the summit of Lusen, one of the highest peaks in the National Park, to take in the panoramic views of the Bavarian Forest.  

As the sun set and the Hunter’s moon rose, we looked over the vast expanse of forest and could imagine crepuscular and nocturnal species starting to stir. Although our chances of seeing wildlife were slim as we travelled in a group, the walk back down in the dark was enriched by the knowledge that, from a corner of the woodland, a Ural owl, wild cat, or indeed a lynx could be watching us.