Forest of the Lynx

In 1998, the elusive lynx slipped into the ancient forests of central Austria's Kalkalpen National Park, perhaps migrating over the border from France or Switzerland. Since then, a small population has emerged. Filmmaker Rita Schlamberger's PBS-aired Nature documentary describes the life of this solitary feline. Although not a presence in this particular forest during the previous 150 years, the lynx has now found a niche, tracking forest mice and other small animals. The lynx is equipped with exceptional hearing, alert to the slightest movement of prey that may be over 100 feet away. Forest mice prove to be a formidable foe, as they are able to climb trees and leap great distances. Forest of the Lynx, which is set in a place where day and night a delicate dance of life and death plays out, is as much about the forest as the lynx. Here, the tiny pygmy owl feeds on songbirds only slightly smaller than itself, and bark beetles feast on drought-stricken, dying trees, only to be in turn devoured by hungry woodpeckers (trees can also release resin in an attempt to foil the beetles). As for the lynx, only about one in four will survive the first year and adult males have fallen victim to poachers, which could encourage destructive inbreeding. An informative documentary featuring outstanding, rare views of nature, this is recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)