Forest protection starts with picking up a lynx girl

Chapter 539 Let's compare, who has a stronger taste
It was impossible to pack it up, so Chen Ying spent more than two hours explaining the other party's situation to it.

Finally, the Eurasian lynx seemed to get angry, turned around and ran away, cursing.

Judy, who was standing next to him, was taking photos and videos very calmly. After the Eurasian lynx left, she asked Chen Ying what she was talking to it about.

"I'm just guessing what they're talking about. This guy seems to have a crush on the lynx that's fighting for territory with Lightning, but unfortunately, there's no way they can have a future."

Judy hummed twice perfunctorily and continued to ask him, "Do you think there is a possibility between them? What if they are one male and one female?"

Chen Ying was about to explode. He was upset by the Eurasian lynx before, and now Judy was here again. He is a veterinarian, not a zoologist!
However, when he was breeding Iberian lynx, he actually studied the relationship between the two subspecies. And the latest report shows that in 06, Spain's Doñana National Park successfully bred fertile hybrid offspring.

Hybrids show intermediate characteristics: ear tuft length is between the parents (39mm in Spanish lynx vs 48mm in Eurasian lynx → 43mm in hybrids)

However, hybridization may dilute the Spanish lynx's unique genes, such as coat color genes that adapt to the Mediterranean climate, so the IUCN recommends that only <5% hybridization be allowed to improve the genetic diversity of the population.

Previously, what Judy and her team had observed were basically records of hybridization in captivity. Although hybrid offspring have been confirmed in the wild, the specific process and the birth and lactation process have not yet been observed by humans.

If this Eurasian lynx and the Iberian lynx can successfully mate...

Alas, what a pity, why are both of them male?

Not only Judy was thinking about this question, but Daniel and Mike were also thinking about it.

"Is this Eurasian lynx intersex? Or is its behavior abnormal? Normally, it is a male and should be repelled by the smell of other males. But not only does it not repel the smell of the Iberian male lynx, it seems to like it very much."

Judy looked at Chen Ying with a strange look, "Chen, how about you try to determine the gender of this Eurasian lynx?"

Chen Ying was stunned, but after thinking about it carefully, Judy's guess was not unreasonable.

He had previously made his judgment based on the lynx's appearance and self-perception, but what if the lynx's self-perception was wrong?
This possibility is not high, but it is not impossible.

The Iberian mole is a classic example of a species that thrives because of its solitary nature.

Female Iberian moles carry ovotestes throughout the year, with testicular tissue shrinking in autumn and winter and recovering in spring, and hormone levels fluctuating with the seasons. This is because high testosterone levels can enhance aggression and territorial awareness, which is adapted to a solitary terrestrial life.

As we all know, there has been no record of Eurasian lynx activities in the Pyrenees Mountains for many years. The sudden appearance of a lone Eurasian lynx made it difficult to say whether it had undergone some changes because it could not find a mate here.

Chen Ying is also a very curious person. Now that he has a guess, he plans to confirm it first.

But now the Eurasian lynx has disappeared, and it will take time to find it.

"Let's go check on Martial and Lightning first, and then we'll talk about the Eurasian lynx we encounter on the way. There's only one day left before we release the other lynxes, so let's get down to business first."

Mike stopped Judy who was about to get too excited, and arranged for Daniel and Judy to go downstream to look for Lightning and Martial after dawn.

Judy originally wanted to be with Chen Ying, but Mike sternly rejected her.

"With Daniel, Judy, you need to control yourself."

Chen Ying watched for a while, guessing what might have happened to Judy. But it had nothing to do with him, he just needed to complete the subsequent tasks.

Not a single lynx hair was seen throughout the entire day, and by evening, the black pressure above Judy's head could be visualized.

However, Chen Ying was not afraid of her making a fuss. It was obvious that Daniel and Mike, with their toughness and gentleness, could completely control her.

"Mike, I'm going to get some water and take a shower." Chen Ying glanced at Judy while talking to Mike, "Please keep an eye on her. I don't want anything unpleasant to happen."

Mike nodded, "Go quickly and come back soon."

After leaving the camp, Chen Ying ran towards the water source as quickly as possible. In addition to washing up, he still had things to do.

"Hey, are you here? Lightning, are you there?"

In the dim light of the evening, a lynx with fur of the same color as the rocks nimbly jumped down from the pile of rocks.

Chen Ying had only met Lightning twice, once when he first arrived at the research institute, and once when he released Lightning.

The Lightning that appeared in front of him seemed to have a slightly different fur color than before.

Probably to adapt to the cold climate of the mountains, the color of Lightning's hair has become much lighter. In the environment just now, if Lightning hadn't shown up on his own initiative, he would have almost not noticed the other party.

"Lightning, have you seen Martier?" After stroking a handful of Lightning's fur, Chen Ying took out a flashlight and prepared to check it.

The procedures were fixed and the series of checks only took more than twenty minutes.

"Lightning is great and healthy, but isn't the hair a little thick?"

"Oh, it's not thick enough. I want it to be thicker, but it's a pity that it can't grow any more."

Lightning lay down relaxedly, watching Chen Ying quickly wash her face and bathe, "Ah, are you looking at that big guy?"

"You saw it all. Yes, it seems a little...special. I need to observe it more."

Lightning snorted softly, with a hint of gritted teeth in his tone, "That guy is not special, he's just a complete idiot."

"Lightning, have you been bullied by it?" Chen Ying shivered in the cold water of the mountain stream and sped up. "That guy seems to have a special liking for the lynx that is competing with you for territory, and wants to be with it."

"The guy who fought with me for territory is very strong, but he is still a little weaker than that idiot, mainly because of his size." Maybe because he has stayed with humans for a long time, Lightning's thinking is still somewhat influenced by his time in the research institute.

When Chen Ying put on her clothes and prepared to go back, Lightning also stood up and stretched.

"I'm going back now. Will you come tomorrow?" Chen Ying half squatted down. "Why are you hiding from Matil? It's worried about you."

"I haven't thought about it yet. We'll talk about it when the time comes. Anyway, Martial will stay here. This is my territory and I will protect it." Lightning jumped onto the rock without waiting for Chen Ying to say anything.

While jumping, it was thinking about what Chen Ying said. There would be a few more of its kind here in a few days. Could it try to go a little further up the mountain?
Suddenly, a figure flashed past it. Lightning was so frightened that it jumped on the spot and twisted its body incredibly to avoid the beast that was attacking it.

After it stood firm, it found that the one who attacked it was Martin!

"Martial, what are you doing?" Martial lowered his body and bared his teeth at it. "Ah, why are you hiding from me?"

"I'm not avoiding you. It's just that we didn't run into each other." Lightning looked around guiltily, trying to find a chance to run away.

Unfortunately, Martial did not give it this chance. He jumped onto the rock where it was standing and bit its chest hair.

"Ah~ Don't bite me, I'll become bald!" Lightning wanted to dodge and even opened his mouth, but under Martial's sharp gaze, he still didn't dare to move.

In a place that neither of them noticed, a big cat was lying quietly on a high place, occasionally glancing at them, but more of its eyes were focused on the ditch a little lower where Lightning and Martial were.

Another lynx, whose fur color was similar to Lightning's original appearance, was skinning a hare viciously.

Tonight, there is an inexplicable harmony in the mountains and forests.

Chen Ying returned to the camp. Mike and Daniel were talking in low voices, and Judy was typing on the keyboard with a sullen look on her face.

"I'm back. I saw lightning near the water just now, but it didn't get too close. It just showed up on the other side of the river and then left."

Chen Ying sent a deliberately posed photo to Mike. Only two-thirds of Lightning's pretty face was visible under the leaves, but the lightning-like markings on its face and neck proved its identity.

"Lightning's hair seems to have changed. It seems that it wants to go to higher mountains. Its hair volume and color are more and lighter than those of the Iberian lynx in the Mediterranean forest."

"Yes, I suspect that Lightning has the genes of the Eurasian lynx. Its fur volume and color seem to be closer to the hybrid lynx that was artificially bred before."

"Impossible." Chen Ying said firmly, "Lightning is a purebred Iberian lynx, I am sure of that. After all, we did a lot of related tests in the laboratory. If it is really a hybrid, I would not be unaware of it."

Mike didn't say anything more and let out a breath. "We just received a notice that the first two lynxes, one male and one female, will be released near the stone bridge at 10 a.m. tomorrow. The other three will be released farther away. The youngest male lynx will be released at the edge of the forest at the foot of the mountain."

After all, we already know that the territory on the mountain has been occupied by two adult males, and of the two males waiting to be released, the older one was rescued from the wild and has more experience. Perhaps its joining will force the other two lynxes to migrate farther.

The other lynx, which was purely artificially bred and released into the wild, has just reached adulthood and lacks experience, so the release location needs to be chosen more carefully.

The edge of the forest is more suitable for the survival of Iberian lynx. Moreover, the climate at the foot of the mountain is milder and there is more food. The same size area can support more lynxes.

It is relatively simple for female lynxes. After all, they can occupy a part of the male's territory to establish their own territory.

The more female territories overlap with the edges of male territories, the less pressure there is to reproduce.

Chen Ying and the others have to rush to the stone bridge tomorrow to make advance arrangements. The most important thing is to prevent the Eurasian lynx from killing or injuring the lynx that has just been released.

When Chen Ying heard Mike say this, she knew he was talking to her.

"I think the Eurasian lynx will definitely come over tomorrow. It seems to like watching the fun, and its aesthetic taste seems to be anchored on the Iberian lynx. If it takes a fancy to the released female lynx, won't your research topic come up with something?"

Daniel interjected, "I'm afraid it didn't like them and helped the male Iberian lynx to drive away the newly released ones."

It seems that this possibility is not impossible?

Chen Ying felt a slight toothache, but the release plan had been confirmed. No matter what, they would have to be on high alert for the next two days and needed to pay close attention to the activities of the original three lynxes.

That night, Chen Ying suddenly woke up in the middle of the night and looked out cautiously through the gap in the tent curtain. She saw the Eurasian lynx, which might not have a very good brain, sticking its butt up towards Daniel's tent.

Although Chen Ying covered her mouth quickly, the noise at that moment had already startled the lynx that was spraying urine.

This guy walked over without any courtesy and tried to squeeze into the tent through the narrow gap.

"Slow down, I'll pull it apart for you before drilling, be gentle..."

I tried my best to hold the head of this stupid lynx against me and quickly unzipped the tent door. The next second, this guy squeezed into the tent and turned around a few times, as if he was going to do something bad again.

"Behave yourself." Chen Ying couldn't help but slapped the lynx on the head and rubbed it.

The noise they made was enough to keep even the dead awake, and the next second Daniel uttered a series of curses.

Anyone who has ever raised a cat knows the smell of feline urine... it's intoxicating!
He did something bad and still dared to laugh out loud. Chen Ying turned her head to take a look. This guy's current appearance was simply unbearable to look at, but...

"Lie down and don't move. There's something here. I'll get it off for you." Chen Ying patted the lynx's belly seriously, letting it keep its four paws facing up.

I turned on the tent light and took a quick look, and the little bell was real.

I touched its belly carefully again and felt nothing unusual.

This big guy has never been petted like this by humans. He has a shocked expression on his face, with his four paws tucked in front of his body, his belly tense, and his face dazed with his ears turned upside down. The word "囧" is written in capital letters.

The curtain of Chen Ying's tent was not drawn, so what was going on inside the tent could be seen from outside.

Daniel stopped cursing, and he and Mike stared without blinking at Chen Ying examining the Eurasian lynx.

Soon, the lynx turned over, shook its fur, and squeezed out from beside him, showing its sharp teeth in Daniel's direction as it left the tent.

Daniel took a half step back, raised his hand and pointed at himself with a puzzled look on his face, "What happened to me?"

The Eurasian lynx quickly dived into the darkness and disappeared, leaving the four people to face the increasingly pungent onslaught of big cat urine.

The smell is not so strong in the wild, and I don’t know if it was intentional revenge, but it seems like a lot of urine, and the spraying range is quite large.

"Don't ask for the tent. They'll come tomorrow and ask someone to bring you a new one."

Mike couldn't stand the smell either, so he silently and forcibly moved his tent to another location.

"No, this..." Daniel leaned in and took a breath, the rest of his words choked out in a series of coughs.

Chen Ying looked at him sympathetically and was about to speak when Judy suddenly said something.

"Daniel, when you went to the woods to relieve yourself today, did you observe the surrounding situation?"

(End of this chapter)