--- title: "Sonic and Badger: How Scientists Count Lynxes in Ukraine and Why Borders Don't Exist for Predators" description: "The lynx is a \"flagship species,\" whose presence speaks to the health of the forest. Scientists from WWF-Ukraine, using camera traps and fur spot analysis, have accurately counted the population in the Carpathians. πŸ¦πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦\n\nThe paradox of war: in the Rivne region, the number of predators has doubled due to the hunting ban. But borders do not exist for lynxes β€” the male \"Sonic\" crosses them freely, requiring cross-border cooperation from scientists. πŸŒ²πŸ“‰" date: 2026-06-11T05:04:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/sonic-and-badger-how-scientists-count-lynxes-in-ukraine-and-why-borders-dont-exist-for-predators tags: [] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Sonic and Badger: How Scientists Count Lynxes in Ukraine and Why Borders Don't Exist for Predators ![Portrait of a lynx with distinctive ear tufts, symbolizing the predator population in Ukraine studied by scientists](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/11/issledovanie-rysei-v-ukraine-sonik-i-barsuk/issledovanie-rysei-v-ukraine-sonik-i-barsuk-1.webp) The Eurasian lynx is one of the most mysterious inhabitants of the Ukrainian forests, whose survival today depends directly on scientific progress. In the conditions of war, where nature often takes a back seat, researchers from WWF-Ukraine and RBK-Ukraine continue their work, changing their approaches to studying this predator. The lynx is considered a "flagship species": its presence indicates the balance of the forest ecosystem, and protecting its habitat automatically preserves thousands of other plant and animal species. ### From a track in the snow to a digital fingerprint An adult lynx weighs about 25 kg and requires a huge territory for a comfortable life β€” from 100 to 200 square kilometers. In Ukraine, these predators live mainly in the Carpathians and in Polesie. For a long time, scientists relied on "old-school" methods: counting tracks in the snow and interviewing local residents. This only allowed for making approximate guesses about the population size. The situation changed radically in 2024. WWF-Ukraine began systematic monitoring in Uzhanskyi National Park using modern technologies. Over two years, almost 50,000 photo and video files from camera traps were processed. The main tool for identification became the unique pattern of spots on the lynx's fur, which works like human fingerprints. Such deterministic monitoring allowed a transition from hypotheses to facts. If it was previously assumed that 6 to 13 individuals lived in the park, it is now confirmed with certainty: there are seven. ### Sonic, Badger, and the absence of borders One of the brightest objects of research was a male with the identifier ID-4. Ukrainian scientists affectionately call him "Sonic", while Slovak colleagues call him "Badger". This predator freely crosses the state border, vividly demonstrating that administrative lines do not matter for wild animals. The behavior of "Sonic" became a signal for scientists about the need for cross-border coordination. Without common monitoring systems, the same animal can be counted dozens of times in different reports, which artificially inflates the real statistics. The example of the brown bear Iwo, who crossed the territory of three regions of Ukraine in a month, only confirms: without cooperation with neighbors, we see a distorted picture of nature. ### The paradox of war: population growth In the Rivne region, scientists went even further, putting a GPS collar on a male named Boris. Telemetry allowed obtaining detailed information about the routes of predators. Despite the catastrophic consequences of the war for the environment, an unexpected trend is observed in the region: the lynx population has grown from 35 to 70 individuals. Researchers explain this phenomenon by the reduction of hunting pressure and the introduction of a hunting ban. However, this is only a local effect. Global threats have not disappeared: forest fragmentation, road construction, poaching, and the danger of genetic isolation due to inbreeding remain serious challenges. ### Minimizing conflicts with humans The lynx is hardly the most conflict-prone predator, but farmers sometimes suffer from attacks on herds. An effective solution to the problem has become electric fences. The statistics speak for themselves: if in 2018 there were 19 recorded attacks on sheep, then in 2023 there were only four. Scientists emphasize: the future of the lynx depends not only on nature reserves. It lives near humans, and the main task is to learn to minimize conflicts while preserving wildlife. As experts note, legal protection in the Red Book is only the foundation; the real survival of the species depends on specific actions and a scientific approach.