Feasibility of reintroduction of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) on 'De Veluwe', the Netherlands, by using the stochastic simulation programme VORTEX

The dutch nature reserve 'De Veluwe' contains a surplus of ungulates. To restore ecological processus reintroduction of a predator, the Lynx (Lynx lynx) is studied, The objective of this study is to assess the feasibility of reintroduction of the Lynx using the stochastic simulation program VORTEX. Reintroduction in this experiment is defined as a probability of survival of at least 95% for a period of 100 years and a maintenance of at least 90% of gene diversity for a period of 100 years Reintroduction experiments were carried out for 4 alternatives: one experiment using an initial population, three experiments using restocking procedures. Only 2 experiments, using restocking every 2 years of 1 male and 1 female or every 4 pears restocking 1 male and 2 females respectively meet with the criteria.