268 EXTINCT AND VANISHING MAMMALS 



cause of its disappearance was the diminution of the forests (espe- 

 cially the virgin forests) . 



In Rumania the Lynx is an increasingly rarer species. Its dis- 

 tributional area is the coniferous-forest zone narrower on the 

 western slope of the eastern Carpathians (Nasaud district), and 

 broader on the eastern slope (Bukowina) . It is more common in the 

 southern Carpathians (Bunzenlander Mountains, Fagaras Moun- 

 tains, etc.). (Calinescu, 1930, p. 366.) 



In ancient times, when Poland was covered with large forests, the 

 Lynx was found everywhere. It still exists in the Carpathians, espe- 

 cially in the eastern Polish part, and also in the great forests of 

 northeastern and eastern Poland. The estimated number is about 

 400. During the hunting season about 25 specimens are killed 

 annually. Hunting is forbidden from March 1 to December 31. (M. 

 Siedlecki, 1 in'litt., October, 1936.) In the proposed International 

 Tatra Park (Poland and Czechoslovakia) the Lynx will be kept 

 under absolute protection. The chief aim of another proposed Inter- 

 national Park (Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Rumania) is the crea- 

 tion of a breeding ground for the Bear, Lynx, Wildcat, Wolf, Stag, 

 etc. (Benedyct Fulinski, MS., 1933.) 



In Lithuania the Lynx is almost exterminated. Since the Great 

 War about ten specimens have been killed. Hunting is forbidden. 

 (T. Ivanauskas, in litt, November, 1936.) 



In Latvia the species has decreased considerably but is still found 

 in the large forests. The following numbers have been reported 

 by the Forest Department: 74 in 1925; 49 in 1932; 59 in 1935; 78 

 in 1936. (N. von Transehe, in litt., February, 1937.) The animals 

 are found especially in the northeastern part of the country, where 

 hunting is restricted; in other parts no protective measures have 

 been adopted. Twenty to thirty years ago the stock was about 

 300-400, but for economic reasons, and in order to protect useful 

 game, the numbers have been reduced intentionally, and they are 

 now confined to a certain part of the forests, where they are pro- 

 tected. (Forest Department, Latvia, in litt., March, 1937.) 



In Estonia the Lynx is only a visitor, coming in from Russia, and 

 is given no protection (Zoological Institute, University of Tartu, 

 in litt., October, 1936) . 



i "Michel Siedlecki, Professor of Zoology in the University of Cracow, was 

 ... an enlightened apostle of Fauna Preservation. . . . 



"Michel Siedlecki was done to death in one of Germany's most notorious 

 concentration camps. . . . 



"In . . . international relations Siedlecki inspired among his colleagues both 

 respect and affection. One wonders with what feelings the German colleagues 

 with whom he collaborated in the International Council for the Exploration 

 of the Sea, as well as in the International Committee for Bird Preservation, 

 reflect upon the death, brought about through the calculated brutality of their 

 Government, of a loyal colleague who was so recently their guest." (Jour. Soc. 

 Preservation Fauna Empire, n. s., pt. 39, pp. 15-16, 1940.) 



