by 15% by the end of the decade, and
To combat that Dina finds captive young lynx that can be introduced into the wild to increase numbers and improve the genetic mix. Usually Dina's lynxes have been raised from birth with the minimum of human contact, specifically with release in mind.But last year, much to Dina's frustration, there was a particularly high number of male lynxes born. And a successful rewilding programme needs females much more than males.
So Dina reached out to Newquay Zoo to ask them if their one year old female might be available."Of course we said yes straight away, that's something that we'd love to do," says John Meek, the curator of plants and animals at Newquay Zoo.Over the next few months the lynx will be monitored to see if it has the necessary skills to survive in the wild. Catching and killing prey is not expected to be a problem.
"If you know your cats, you know that even a cat that has lived in a room its whole life, once it gets out is able to kill a bird or a mouse," Eva Klebelsberg who runs the lynx reintroduction programme for Baden-Württemberg told us.We're standing over the carcass of a Roe Deer in the Black Forest just outside Karlsruhe. There is a small population of lynxes already living in the forest and this is one of their kills.
There are puncture marks on its throat – a sure sign.
"Our ecosystems in Europe are missing large predators," Eva says, explaining that the lynx helps control populations of deer as well as ensuring that they keep moving and don't strip forested areas.On Friday, on the 110th anniversary of their deaths, their family and a party from 2nd Battalion the Rifles visited the memorial to remember the missing brothers.
Keith Brooks, Pte Tame's great nephew, helped the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) to identify him by giving a DNA sample."John and his brothers Alfred and William have been remembered by the family from just photographs and vague memories from those who have now long passed," Mr Brooks said.
"Now, after finding John's remains, he is more than just a distant photograph. This has made him more real along with his story for future generations."This has all been achieved because of the excellent work the MOD do with all the research and investigations, giving missing people who have served their country the funeral they all greatly deserve."