“The French Alps, a region characterized by its diverse and fragmented landscape, historically provided vital habitat for the Eurasian lynx. However, by the early 20th century this magnificent cat had become locally extinct in most of Western Europe, primarily because of habitat loss, overhunting of their prey (chamois and roe deer) and direct persecution by people, usually in retaliation for livestock predation and/or for bounties. The last historic observation of a wild lynx in Switzerland, for example, was in 1904 at the Simplon Pass. However, throughout the 20th century, France experienced significant forest expansion and wildlife recovery, with roe deer populations rebounding through reforestation efforts, improved wildlife management and hunting regulations..
Following reintroductions of the Eurasian lynx to the Swiss Jura and Alps in the 1970s, the cats have recolonized parts of France, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany and Italy. Since then, the species has naturally expanded its range and moved across the border into France.”
From Oryx.