By Denitsa Raykova | Donor Relations and Care Specialist
The lynx truly is an incredible animal.
Lynxes are extremely wary and mostly nocturnally active animals that we are unlikely to see. But we can sense their presence by their highly specific musky scent or by the rich and healthy forest.
Like all large carnivores, lynxes play an important role in controlling deer populations and reducing fox numbers.
However, they need large, connected habitats to thrive. So in order to protect the lynx and secure its survival, we need to protect the forests it calls home.
Unfortunately, forest conservation in Bulgaria continues to face an extremely serious problem: illegal logging.
Illegal logging in Bulgaria
Every four years, WWF Bulgaria carries out a detailed analysis of the level of illegal logging in the country. According to the latest report from September 2023, illegal logging in Bulgaria is between 1/4 and 1/3 of the amount of officially harvested timber and generates hidden revenues of over BGN 100 million per year.
‘The amount of illegally harvested timber in Bulgaria remains worryingly high. In an average year, it amounts to 1.7 million cubic meters of officially registered harvest. Moreover, half of the seemingly legal logging is carried out in violation of the laws on forests, environment, biodiversity, and protected areas,’ said Dobromir Dobrinov, senior expert on environmental legislation at WWF.
In addition to financial losses, illegal logging robs forests of their ability to effectively perform their environmental functions. It deprives entire areas of clean air and clean water in the long term. And, of course, it deprives animals such as the lynx of a home.
How does WWF Bulgaria help?
The main activity of the experts from WWF Bulgaria is the investigation of numerous signals of illegal logging, which we receive from all over the country. Over the years, we have responded to hundreds of signals. We regularly analyze illegal logging in Bulgaria and fight this destructive trend in every way we can.
Illegal logging has severe environmental, social, and economic impacts. Its negative effects exacerbate the climate crisis and lead to biodiversity loss.
Help us to continue our forest conservation work! This is the only way we will be able to provide animals like the lynx with a safe environment where they can feel secure enough to create and raise offspring!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
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