A woman observed four of the felines during a stroll on a cycling path – but a specialist cautioned that individuals should maintain their distance from the animals. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Comments
A woman was astonished after setting out for a walk on a cycle route and spotting an “uncommon” beast wandering about with its offspring. She had been ambling near Maardu, located just outside Tallinn in Estonia, when she came across a female lynx together with her young – despite these creatures being noted for their reserved and elusive behaviour.
The woman, Maarja Liiv, informed Maaleht: “It truly was a remarkable occasion.” She succeeded in capturing footage of the lynx along with four of her cubs, although the video only shows three, as the fourth remained hidden within adjacent shrubbery.
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ERR News documented the unusual occurrence transpired on a bike trail not far from Maardu, a small town situated a short distance from Tallinn. Home to roughly 17,000 residents, the animal sighting is seen as confirmation that lynx numbers are recovering following a decline observed in recent times.
Zoologist Uudo Timm told the journal: “In urban expansion areas this is a completely typical occurrence, because not just lynxes but also other wildlife move along paths established over centuries in the terrain and consequently frequently arrive at new residential areas.”
The specialist stressed the species presents no threat to humans, but they remain wild creatures, therefore warrant distance and deference.
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Should they be cornered or perceive a threat, an assault becomes a possibility – although there are no recorded cases of wild lynx attacking people.
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It’s believed they would more likely run away from people – although this theory should not be put to the test. Timm cautioned that the animals must not be approached, even for the sake of a swift photograph or selfie – a practice he feels is particularly widespread among city dwellers.
In a different incident reported by ERR, another lynx was sighted in a nearby county. In the village of Mõisamaa, within the Väike-Maarja municipality of Lääne-Viru County, local inhabitant Mari-Ann Mustasaar discovered a grown lynx perched on a rock at a forest’s edge.
Instead of fleeing, the creature appeared to be enjoying observing its surroundings and remained seated on the rock for a period.
Mustasaar commented: “I’ve never witnessed such a sight before. The lynx was simply sitting there, ‘awaiting’ us. While the picture’s quality is not spectacular, the memory will endure with us for a considerable time.”
The video was distributed online, triggering numerous comments. One person remarked: “Amazing. So few around.” Another lauded the animal as “beautiful”.
Lynx are moderate-sized wildcats that, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), “live nearer to you than you may realise”, and occupy “thick forests across the United States, Europe, and Asia.”
There are “four principal subspecies of lynx, one of which is the well-known bobcat”.
The international non-profit, which strives to “assist animals and people to prosper together”, said: “Lynx primarily live solitary lives, staying within their own territory and building dens beneath fallen trees or in deserted burrows.”
It further noted: “As an apex predator, the lynx is an animal that has a vital role in its ecosystem. They control the numbers of prey species, including rabbits, rodents, and deer, which safeguards vegetation from excessive consumption.
“Numerous European countries, including the UK, have lost their lynx populations and now undergo overpopulation of species like deer.”