Unbothered by the presence of a human taking photographs, the animal offered a rare glimpse of nature in action.
This wasn’t a scene from an African safari but an extraordinary wildlife encounter by the Baltic Sea.
A wild surprise on the Baltic
Małgorzata Sokalska, a retired biology teacher, captured the moment using a telephoto lens. Her images show the lynx with a roe deer, followed by a series of shots of the cat resting peacefully on the sand.
The lynx, wearing a collar with a transmitter, is believed to be part of a reintroduction programme in the Sławno Forest District. It appears to be thriving in its natural environment.
Though such encounters are still rare, locals and tourists report that sightings are becoming more frequent. Witnesses say the lynx show little fear of humans, creating safari-like moments along the coast.
Reintroduction brings lynx back to the region
According to Tadeusz Lewandowski, manager of the Sławno Forest District, lynx had disappeared from the area by 1980. Since 2019, however, 76 lynx have been released into the wild through a project led by the West Pomeranian Nature Society. Around half have survived, with signs of successful breeding in the region.
The cats are monitored via GPS to track their progress. In some cases, this has allowed conservationists to guide disoriented animals back to suitable habitats or treat illnesses like mange before rerelease.
If you’re lucky enough to spot a lynx, remember they are shy and pose no threat to humans. Keep your distance, avoid disturbing them, and enjoy the rare opportunity to witness one of Poland’s most elusive predators in its natural setting.
Let’s set a better example than some safari-goers, who too often disrupt wildlife for a closer look.
