lynx distribution in the french alps (1995-1999)

<strong>Abstract</strong> From 1995 to 1999, 69 data were recorded on lynx presence in the French Alps, in an area of 3,636 km&#178;. Lynx presence was recorded in the major forested regions of the pré-Alpes (Chablais, Glière/Aravis, Bauges, Chartreuse, Vercors, Diois/Beauchène), in the Chamonix and Maurienne valleys and the Brian&#231;on region, but no large continuous area of presence was shown. Lynx have probably been permanently present in certain locations during the past years, but the presence of a large lynx population in the Alps is improbable in the northern French Alps. In the future, we recommend that habitat suitability for lynx in the northern French-Alps should be assessed, together with possibilities of connection between alpine regions and possible bias in the monitoring system.