The LIFE Lynx project has been honoured with the LIFE Award for Nature Conservation and Biodiversity, as well as the Audience Award, recognizing it as one of the most impactful environmental initiatives in Europe. This double recognition celebrates not only the project’s scientific and conservation achievements but also the deep-rooted collaboration with local communities—especially hunters, whose role has been essential from the very beginning.

A legacy of conservation
The LIFE Lynx project, coordinated by the Slovenia Forest Service, has worked tirelessly since 2017 to prevent the extinction of the Dinaric-SE Alpine lynx population. Through the translocation of 18 lynxes from healthy populations and the birth of over 50 offspring, the project has successfully re-established a viable lynx population in Slovenia and Croatia.

But this success story didn’t begin in 2017—it began in 1973, when a group of hunters and foresters reintroduced the lynx to Slovenia after it had been extinct for decades. Their dedication laid the foundation for today’s conservation efforts. Nowadays, hunters effectively contribute to the monitoring and the releasing of lynx as well as the combat against illegal killing.

“The LIFE Lynx project would not have been possible without the historic efforts of hunters and foresters,” said Rok Černe, project coordinator. “The conservation journey started then, and today’s award recognizes everyone who has contributed in any way to this important nature conservation success.”