“Attention lynx”: road signs installed on the roads of France to protect lynxes

In three regions of France, new traffic signs will be installed to encourage motorists to slow down and protect lynx from collisions.

When we drive country , we are used to seeing road signs announcing the presence of deer or horses. As these animals can cross the road, these signs encourage motorists to slow down so as not to hit them.

Photo credit: Center Athénas

Within a few weeks, panels signs concerning new animals will be installed. In Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Alsace-Lorraine and Rhône-Alpes, 'attention lynx' signs will be installed on the side of the roads.

Protecting lynx on the road

These signs are intended to encourage motorists to reduce their speed in order to protect the lynx that may cross the road. Signs will be installed where the lynx are likely to be present. Triangular, they represent an adult lynx and its young.

The panels will be installed free of charge at the exit of the municipalities which wish it, to warn the population. Already five villages have expressed their intention to install these panels.

'The sign will be placed at the exit of the municipalities and will encourage drivers to slow down on the surrounding roads' , said Gilles Moynes, director of the Athénas wild animal care center in the Jura.

Lynx victims of collisions

In France, lynx are mainly present in the Jura massif. Since January 1, 2022, at least 16 lynx have been hit in France, victims of a collision with a car. 15 of them were struck in the Jura massif.

“16 lynx is more than 10% of the adult lynx population in France. Of these 16 lynx, only two survived. Until there is widespread awareness, we will not solve the problem. The goal is to educate the general public. , said Gilles Moyne.

Photo credit: Center Athénas

Today, it is estimated that between 120 and 150 lynx live in the wild. An insufficient figure for the 'maintenance of the species' according to Gilles Moyne. Lynx are among the endangered species present on the IUCN red list of threatened species in France, mainly due to poaching and collisions.