Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Status: Category I (CR) – Critically endangered.

Importance for gene pool preservation:
Two subspecies are found in Turkmenistan: the Caucasian lynx (L. l. dinniki Satunin, 1915) and the Turkestan lynx (L. l. isabellina Blyth, 1847).

Distribution:
Caucasian subspecies – western and central parts of Kopetdag.
Beyond Turkmenistan – Carpathians, Caucasus, Turkey, northern Iran.
Turkestan subspecies – Koytendag.
Beyond Turkmenistan – mountains of Central Asia, Afghanistan, northern Pakistan, India, and Tibet.

Habitat:
Mountain slopes and gorges covered with woodlands of juniper, maple, cherry plum, hawthorn, almonds, and other shrubby vegetation.

Population and trends:
In the 1930s, the species was not rare. No data available from 1950 to 1990. In the early 21st century, it was recorded in Central Kopetdag. Over the past decade, no records exist from that region. Camera trap studies from 2013–2020 indicate that in Koytendag there are at least 10 individuals, including 3 adult pairs and 4 young lynxes.

Biological characteristics:
Mainly crepuscular and nocturnal; occasionally active during the day. Solitary. In winter, it shelters in caves or rocky crevices. In summer, it lives in dense vegetation of juniper, fig, hawthorn, and Turkmen maple. Primary prey includes the Tolai hare and rodents.

Breeding:
Not studied.

Conservation actions taken:
Listed in the IUCN Red List (category LC); included in the Red Data Book of Turkmenistan since 1985; protected under CITES. Occurs in Kopetdag and Koytendag State Nature Reserves.

Necessary conservation actions:
Strengthen species protection and public awareness campaigns.

Suggested research:
Conduct regular population censuses and biological studies.