 LOCATION:
Karl-Pieper-Str. 47
, 59581 Warstein
, Germany
Phone: 43-2902-774976
Fax: 774975
 KEY WORDS:
cat, conservation, reintroduction
 ANIMALS:
| Family: | Species: | Common Name: | Capacity: |
| Felidae | Lynx lynx | European Lynx | 3 |
 DESCRIPTION:
The enclosure was built to show our biggest native cat species and to enhance the attractiveness of the Wildpark Warstein, as well as to jump-start the reintroduction of lynx into the Sauerland region.
The exhibit lies in a wooded valley and houses three lynx and offspring in an enclosure that closely resembles their natural habitat.
The bordering fence was mandated by the local agency. A 3-meter (about 10-feet) high fence was constructed with the upper edge leaning inside at a 100-degree angle. The initially included hot-wires were taken down in the meantime.
 SIZE:
Space allocation in square meters:
| use | indoors | outdoors | total exhibit |
| accessible | total | accessible | total |
| animals | | | | | |
| visitors | | | | | |
| others | | | | | |
| total | | | | | 7,000 |
 COSTS:
Euro 30,000
Design and construction was done in-house.
 OPENING DATE:
August 2001
 DESIGN:
Beginning: 1999
 CONSTRUCTION:
Beginning: 2000
 LOCAL CONDITIONS:
 PLANTS:
Deciduous mixed forest with oaks and beeches, some pines.
 FEATURES DEDICATED TO ANIMALS:
The enclosed area satisfies the lynx's natural needs and allows them to roam freely. Many old trees were kept as climbing opportunities. The terrain offers varied perches for the lynx and plenty of opportunities for retreat and privacy.
 FEATURES DEDICATED TO KEEPERS:
The lynx get fed in a little holding area (ca. 50 m² - 500 sq.ft.) connected by a shifting chute to the exhibit. The shifting chute also doubles as a squeeze cage to be used for immunizations.
 FEATURES DEDICATED TO VISITORS:
An important goal of the planning and design process was to preserve the forest character of the area. Visitors should feel like they are taking a walk through the forest and experiencing lynx in their natural habitat. Special views of the enclosure are offered by two visitor platforms. The viewing platforms have a height of about 3.50 meters (11.5 feet) at the highest point to enable the visitors a look over the 3-meter high fence.
The feeding takes place in a small exhibit adjacent to one of the viewing platforms. During the public feedings, the lynx have the opportunity to excercise their natural hunting behavior by capturing the meat that is moved back and forth by the keeper on a 'fishing rod'.
 INTERPRETATION:
 MANAGEMENT:
The food is not just left in the enclosure, but the lynx have to 'hunt' the meat that is moved back and forth by a fishing rod.
 RESEARCH:
 CONSERVATION:
In collaboration with the 'Sauerländischer Gebirgsverein' (Mountaineer Club of the Sauerland Region) and the 'Ökologischer Jagdverein Nordrhein-Westfalen' (Ecological Hunting Club of Northrhine Westphalia) an initiative was started to breed lynx for reintroduction.
The possibility of a reintroduction program is being investigated by the state of Northrhine Westphalia and the habitat is being surveyed. In the event of a reintroduction program, the Wild Animal Park will take part in the program and is keeping a female lynx for future breeding.
 LOCAL RESOURCES:
The enclosure is integrated in the existing forest and was constructed by foresters of the Wildpark Warstein. |
 |
| 52K | 69K |
| Lynx (1) |
| ©Henning Dictus, 2003 |
 |
| 79K | 120K |
| Orientation Display (2) |
| ©Henning Dictus, 2004 |
 |
| 78K | 112K |
| Information Panel (3) |
| ©Dirk Petzold, 2003 |
 |
| 125K | 179K |
| Lynx in the underbrush (4) |
| ©Henning Dictus, 2004 |
 |
| 83K | 134K |
| Lynx Enclosure with Visitor Platform (5) |
| ©Dirk Petzold, 2003 |
 |
| 140K | 426K |
| Fence Detail (6) |
| ©Dirk Petzold, 2003 |
 |
| 78K | 109K |
| Viewing Platform (7) |
| ©Henning Dictus, 2003 |
 |
| 86K | 135K |
| Viewing Platform (8) |
| ©Dirk Petzold, 2003 |
 |
| 65K | 89K |
| View from the Platform (9) |
| ©Henning Dictus, 2003 |
 |
| 63K | 85K |
| Watchful Lynx (10) |
| ©Henning Dictus, 2003 |
 |
| 95K | 139K |
| Waiting for the Feeding (12) |
| ©Henning Dictus, 2004 |
 |
| 85K | 134K |
| Public Feeding (13) |
| ©Henning Dictus, 2004 |
 |
| 130K | 199K |
| Gotcha! (14) |
| ©Henning Dictus, 2004 |
 |
| 63K | 93K |
| Service Facilities (15) |
| ©Dirk Petzold, 15 |
 |
| 52K | 68K |
| Lynx in Winter (17) |
| ©Henning Dictus, 2003 |
 |
| 51K | 67K |
| Lynx with Prey (18) |
| ©Henning Dictus, 2003 |
 |
| 49K | 49K |
| Enclosure under Construction (19) |
| ©Henning Dictus, 2003 |
|
