Cameras spot rare glimpse of lynx in Borjomi-Kharagauli Park

Cameras have captured a rare glimpse of the endangered lynx in Borjomi- Kharagauli National Park, in central Georgia.

Officials welcomed the footage, as the lynx was classified as an endangered species, and noted it was "very rare" for lynx to be captured by a camera trap. Camera traps were on park territory two months ago.

Meanwhile, a video camera set up in the Lagodekhi Protected Area filmed a male lynx for the first time in October last year. The cameras saw the male lynx walk along a small stream and sniff the rocks before padding off in the opposite direction.

Lynx are covered in thick fur that keeps them warn during cold winters. Their large paws are also furry and hit the ground with a spreading toe motion that makes them function as natural snowshoes.

Numerous photo traps were installed in Georgia’s protected areas to capture footage and prove that a variety of animals, some rare, lived in Georgia’s uninhabited areas. Since the cameras were installed, numerous creatures have been filmed including deer, roe deer, ibex, boar, wild cats, wolves, jackals, lynx, fox, mouse, birds and more.

The project was made possible with financial support of Caucasus Nature Fund (CNF), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), German Technical Cooperation (GIZ) and Global Environmental Facility (GEF) foundations.

Borjomi Kharagauli National park is one among the most important national parks in the Caucasus and it was the first to be established in the Caucasus region meeting international standards. It is recognised by the European Network of Protected Areas, which symbolises the highest level of protection of forest.