The lynx has arrived in Admont

The lynx has arrived in Admont

Thursday, 17 June 2021

Although the lynx prefers near-natural wooded and wild areas, it seems to make an exception in Admont. There you can even see the otherwise nocturnal wild cat in daylight at the Natural History Museum of the Benedictine Abbey of Admont.

"We are delighted to be able to show a lynx specimen on loan from the Tyrolean State Museum Ferdinandeum here in Admont," says Mario Brandmüller, Head of the Culture, Tourism and PR Department. The strictly protected animals are also closely associated with the region in nature. After the lynx was almost wiped out in Europe, it is gradually returning on gentle paws. Some animals have successfully settled in the extensive protected areas between Upper Austria, Lower Austria and Styria.

But there is still a lot to be done to reintroduce the lynx to our country. The Gesäuse National Park, which neighbours the Benedictine Abbey of Admont, has been working for years to preserve the lynx population in the northern Limestone Alps. "There are currently six known lynx in the border triangle between the Kalkalpen and Gesäuse National Parks and the Dürrenstein Wilderness Area. Of these, three are male and three are female. Unfortunately, no offspring have been recorded for three years," says National Park Director Herbert Wölger. In order to inform the general public about the return of the rare forest cat and the necessary measures, special projects such as the themed "Lynx Trail" have been realised. With the new exhibit in the Natural History Museum, the Benedictine Abbey of Admont also wants to make a valuable contribution: "It is important to us to bring the lynx closer to families with children in particular," says Mario Brandmüller, which is why the lynx has been skilfully staged in the Natural History Museum's exhibition.

Nature walk through the Abbey Museum

In addition to the lynx from the Tyrolean State Museum Ferdinandeum, the Natural History Museum in Admont has lots of exciting things to offer. Right at the beginning you enter the world of reptiles and amphibians. Of particular importance is the insect collection that the botanist and entomologist Father Gabriel Strobl amassed more than 100 years ago. Also impressive is the installation of 243 wax fruits, including varieties that have largely disappeared from the existing assortments today. The co-operation between the Benedictine Abbey and the Gesäuse National Park has resulted in a permanent exhibition that attempts to arouse emotions for nature and especially for the Gesäuse National Park through the passion of the researchers. The adjoining "Lion Room" has been left in its historical ambience and is named after a large East African lion specimen that Father Gabriel Strobl acquired from the famous African explorer Emil Holub. The historical display cases contain valuable exhibits, especially of exotic mammals and birds. The end of this nature walk is the so-called "South-East Pavilion", which offers a magnificent view of the national park area as well as a large collection of rocks and minerals and a colourful display of European and native mammals and birds.