SFEPM: “The Spirit of the Forest,” a “socially conscious tea” to protect the boreal lynx

The SFEPM, a national association for the study and protection of mammals

Founded in 1977, the French Society for the Study and Protection of Mammals is a nonprofit organization under the 1901 law that works to protect wild mammals and their habitats throughout France, including both mainland France and its overseas territories. Its first major initiative was the creation of the first atlas of France’s wild mammals, published in 1984.

Since then, the SFEPM has focused its efforts on three complementary areas: knowledge, protection, and public awareness. It conducts and coordinates studies, centralizes data, publishes scientific resources, and supports the implementation of conservation programs. It also shares its knowledge with the public, local governments, government agencies, and the various stakeholders who interact with wildlife.

Chaired by ecologist Thomas Ruys, the nonprofit organization is supported by a board of directors, a staff team, volunteers, and a vast network of partners. Naturalists, scientists, veterinarians, local associations, and public agencies all work together. Each stakeholder contributes to improving our understanding of the species under study, which in turn benefits biodiversity.

Concrete Actions to Protect Numerous Mammals

The SFEPM’s mission is not limited to large carnivores. Over the years, the association has worked to protect the European otter, bats, small mammals, and many other terrestrial or semi-aquatic species.

In particular, it leads or supports National Action Plans and coordinates working groups composed partly of volunteers. It also participates in assessing the conservation status of species and engages in debates regarding laws, decrees, and nature conservation measures. Finally, it can provide scientific, technical, or legal assistance to other organizations when the situation of a species requires swift and appropriate action.

Initiatives such as “Havre de Paix pour la Loutre” (Safe Haven for Otters), “Refuge pour les chauves-souris” (Bat Refuge), and “SOS chauves-souris” (SOS Bats) demonstrate the diversity and precision of this work. Some actions directly help preserve a habitat, while others provide the public with practical information on how to respond when an animal is found injured or in distress.

The National Mammal Observatory: A Portal for Sharing Knowledge

The SFEPM also runs the “National Mammal Observatory,” or ONM. This project aims to bring together nonprofit organizations involved in the study and protection of wild mammals in France.

The Observatory serves as a national portal designed to collect, organize, and make available data, studies, inventories, and other resources produced throughout the country. It thus facilitates access to a shared knowledge base, drawn from the historical work of the SFEPM, its member associations, and the various National Action Plans it has coordinated.

By making this information available and promoting its sharing among the various stakeholders, the ONM helps to better monitor population trends, identify research needs, and spur new conservation efforts.

The boreal lynx, an iconic mammal in need of protection

With its piercing eyes, powerful paws, short tail tipped with black, and tufts of hair extending from its ears, the boreal lynx has an instantly recognizable silhouette. Yet it remains very difficult to spot in the wild.

Solitary outside of the breeding season, it lives at low densities and occupies large territories. In the Jura Mountains, a single male’s wine estate generally spans 260 to 280 km², while a female’s covers an area of 150 to 180 km². This unique way of occupying space explains why habitat connectivity is essential.

The lynx feeds primarily on wild prey, particularly roe deer and chamois. As an apex predator, it plays an important role in the functioning of ecosystems. In the eyes of the scientific community—and, of course, the SFEPM team—the lynx is considered an “umbrella” species: protecting both the lynx and the forest habitats on which it depends helps preserve a significant number of other animal and plant species.

An Encouraging but Still Fragile Return

After disappearing from France during the 20th century, the Eurasian lynx began to return in the 1970s, largely thanks to reintroduction efforts in Switzerland. Its presence has gradually become established in the Jura, while the situation remains more precarious in the Vosges and the Alps.

The species remains threatened and is strictly protected in both France and Europe. Human activities are currently the main known cause of mortality. Collisions with vehicles, illegal hunting, and habitat fragmentation limit the lynx’s movements, its access to new territories, and interactions between different populations.

One statistic particularly illustrates this risk: according to the “Wolf-Lynx Network,” 58% of detected lynx mortality cases are linked to road collisions. Beyond direct mortality, road infrastructure also acts as a barrier to movement between different forested areas.

Low genetic diversity is another major challenge. Too few individuals were originally reintroduced and contributed to the development of the current population. Furthermore, when individuals can no longer move between forest massifs, populations become isolated. Better understanding their genetic structure and maintaining corridors that facilitate movement are therefore essential for ensuring their long-term conservation.

From the National Conservation Plan to Public Awareness Initiatives

In 2017, the SFEPM began working with WWF France to draft a plan dedicated to the boreal lynx. Finalized in 2019 following consultation with local stakeholders, the National Plan for the Conservation of the Boreal Lynx (PNCL) aimed to propose to the government a set of actions to reestablish a viable population in France.

This collaborative effort contributed to the creation of the first National Action Plan for the boreal lynx, to be implemented for the period 2022–2026. Led by the DREAL Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and drafted by the French Office for Biodiversity, this national plan aims to restore the species to a favorable conservation status. It specifically addresses vehicle collisions, illegal hunting, connectivity between populations, scientific research, coexistence with human activities, as well as public information and awareness.

The SFEPM is participating in its implementation and leading the component dedicated to communication, awareness-raising, and promotion.

Raising Public Awareness of the Lynx

The protection of the lynx depends largely on the space society is willing to grant it. Therefore, information and awareness-raising are just as important as scientific research and the actions that stem from it.

Since 2020, the SFEPM has published the newsletter “Lynx boréal, news from here and elsewhere” four times a year. Its content covers monitoring of the species, research findings, actions carried out under national and regional plans, as well as projects developed in France and elsewhere in Europe.

The association also coordinates International Lynx Day in France, held annually between June and July. Exhibitions, lectures, film screenings, nature outings, and educational activities allow the public to learn about the lynx’s behavior, its ecological role, and the threats it faces.

These initiatives aim to change public perceptions of the animal. The lynx is not just a mysterious creature that few people will ever have the chance to see in their lifetime; it is also a key player in forest biodiversity, and it is crucial to do everything possible to protect it.