France: Young lynx rescued and returned to the wild in Jura Mountains

A young Eurasian lynx rescued in eastern France was successfully returned to the wild in the Jura Mountains after months of rehabilitation by wildlife experts. The lynx, named Melchior, had been found orphaned with his sister in late 2025 near Morteau in the Jura region. Wildlife rescuers realized the cubs were too young to survive alone after their mother disappeared.

The animals were taken in by the Athénas Center, France’s only specialized rescue center authorized to care for lynx. Before release, veterinarians fitted the young lynx with a GPS tracking collar to monitor his adaptation to the wild. The release took place in a forested area in the Doubs department of the Jura Mountains, where the animal quickly disappeared into the trees moments after the cage door opened.