Lynx facing extinction in France as population drops at most to 150 cats

Urgent action needed as DNA tests show their genetic diversity is so low they could vanish from the country in 30 years

Conservationists warn that a big cat population in Europe is destined to collapse unless immediate efforts are made to protect the animals.

Researchers estimate there are 120 to 150 adult lynxes in France. Tests on the animals show that the cats' genetic diversity is so low they will become locally extinct within the next 30 years unless there is urgent intervention.