Variation in daily activity of the free-living Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in Bialowieza Primeval Forest, Poland

The pattern of daily activity of the Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx L. was studied by radio-telemetry in the Bialowieza Primeval Forest (eastern Poland). Rad io-tracking of 18 lynx was done by 24-h continuous observations and by samp ling on a daily basis. Lynx were active mostly at night. There was generall y one peak of activity between 15:00 and 07:00 which, however, decreased sl ightly between 20:00 and 22:00. On average, lynx were moving for 6.5 h/day. In males, 73% of locomotory activity occurred at night, whereas females we re active as long during the daylight as during the night. Movement bouts o f females were shorter than those of males (1.1 h vs 2.1 h) but more freque nt (4.2 vs 3.0 bouts/day). General patterns of activity of females with and without kittens were similar. However, females with kittens were active tw ice as long per day than non-reproducing females. In May-August (intensive care for kittens), reproducing females were active 26% longer than in Septe mber-April. Non-reproducing females showed the opposite pattern; they were active 60% less in May-August compared with September-April. Locomotory act ivity of adult males was 30-70% longer in January-March (mating season) tha n in other seasons. The pattern of lynx activity was shaped predominantly b y searching for and consuming large prey. The lynx were active for the long est time during the days when they searched for prey but made no kill (12.5 h/day on average) and for the shortest time on the first day after killing a deer (1.6 h/day). Their moving activity increased steadily in the follow ing days, reaching 6.8 h/day on the fourth day of consuming a killed deer. Ambient temperatures and rainfall did not significantly affect lynx activit y, but there was little movement most of the time in heavy rain, and all da y when the temperature was above 30 degrees C.