Forest Ranger, starting from Picking Up a Lynx Girl

"Before the 19th century, Eurasian lynxes also lived here. Although in the mid to late 20th century, there were no more observations of wild Eurasian lynxes, it can't be definitively said that they have gone extinct in this region."

As Chen Ying walked, she chatted with her companion, conveniently sharing some information about the differences between lynxes.

"The Pyrenees are closer to the Iberian lynx's living area, while Eurasian lynxes appear more in the Alpine Mountains. So we chose this area as the reintroduction site for the Iberian lynx, hoping they could obtain a more extensive habitat, improving upon the previously confined situation due to fragmented territories."

In fact, there was some debate in research circles about setting up this release point. Some scholars worry about whether introducing the Iberian lynx, which doesn't belong to the Pyrenees, might affect the expansion of the Eurasian lynx population.

Additionally, the Pyrenees historically belonged to the Eurasian lynx distribution area. Although no wild populations are found now, who's to say a lynx might not want to travel across borders? Once the Eurasian lynx and the Iberian lynx encounter each other, will they form an alliance, or will it be a mortal confrontation?

Neither of these outcomes are what scholars want to see.

These days, countries worldwide are focusing on ecology, and restoring animal populations is an important component of ecological efforts. Hence, several European countries are also attempting to introduce lynx populations. Perhaps in a few decades, wild populations of Eurasian lynxes might be seen in this mountain range.

Another reason is that while the central part of the Pyrenees has noteworthy natural protection, the environment here doesn't really suit the Iberian lynx. After all, this feline, with fur of yellowish-brown and black spots and weighing no more than eighteen kilograms, might not adapt to the cold mountain climate.

They usually inhabit the shrub forests of the peninsula and the Mediterranean Forest, with the European rabbit as their primary food source.

Eurasian lynxes, being larger, can weigh up to thirty kilograms, predominantly gray-brown in color, and are more adapted to cold forest environments. The highland forests of the Pyrenees would be very suitable for them.

After trekking for nearly four hours, Chen Ying and her companion found a spot to take a rest and have lunch. They would need to spend the night outdoors and should find a campsite early, as the Pyrenees would reveal its harshness at night.

On cold mornings, mist hung over the river valley, and the steep limestone cliffs bore traces of ancient glacier erosion. Both sides of the lower valley featured Mediterranean shrubs and fir mixed forests.

The river roared, winding its way down the stepped riverbed. This part of the river valley was relatively gentle, with a gravel beach on the left side, a good spot for animals to drink water.

Chen Ying and her companion set up their tent in a recess on the right side of the cliff, not spacious but enough to fit two single tents and leave space for outdoor stoves.

After washing up with warm water, Chen Ying glanced at her still-resting companion and decided to head down to the riverbank for a look.

The bone-chilling river water was so clear that even the patterns on the pebbles at the bottom were visible.

Chen Ying noticed a stone with patterns resembling a panda and wanted to take it back as a gift for his girlfriend.

Just as he lifted the stone up, he glanced up sharply to see a big cat lying in the woods opposite.

"Matil? What are you doing here?"

Chen Ying couldn't contain her voice. The big cat across the river remained silent for a moment, then swiftly jumped down and approached Chen Ying.

"Hmm, two-legged beast, what brings you here?" Matil looked at Chen Ying across the river; it even glanced at the other tent in the cliff recess, "Are you here to find me?"

Chen Ying rinsed the stone with river water and wrapped it in a washcloth, placing it in the waterproof layer of his waist pouch.

"Yes, your collar went missing. We were worried something might have happened to you, so we came to check."

Matil tilted its head, looking puzzled, "Oh, you mean that thing? It fell off during a fight with a fellow lynx the other day. Luckily, it scared the other one when it dropped; otherwise, I wouldn't have escaped so easily."

Chen Ying was taken aback by Matil's words, "There are other lynxes here? Was it one that was reintroduced previously?"

"No, it wasn't," Matil's gaze shifted slightly, "This one was larger, had more and thicker fur, and its color was different from mine."

Having said that, Matil intended to leave, evidently not wanting to mention the other lynx. It was obvious that the usually proud Matil had suffered a setback and wanted to hide.

Matil came silently and left decisively; before Chen Ying could say anything, the lynx was already out of sight.

Fortunately, Chen Ying had made preparations the previous night by setting up an infrared camera on a tree by the river, which should have captured Matil standing by the river.

After his companion woke up, Chen Ying told him that Matil was there, and they went together to gather the new photos and videos of Matil from the installed camera.

"Since Matil seems to be doing well here, we can temporarily shift our focus. I suspect there might be something nearby attracting Matil, perhaps food or a strong male lynx."

Chen Ying looked up at the woodland where Matil disappeared, "There should be an animal path on the mountain opposite; returning to the central area requires us to cross this forest, why not start from here?"

His companion didn't mind; his job was to accompany Chen Ying in collecting data and searching for the reintroduced Iberian lynx, Matil. Now that the most important task was complete, they just needed to stay alert and successfully traverse this forest to wrap things up.