Lynx attacks 500-kilogram horse in Lapland, leaving severe injuries

A lynx mauled a horse in Tornio, northern Finland, on Sunday, causing deep wounds to its hindquarters in what experts describe as an extremely rare incident, reports Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

The horse, a Finnish draft mare named Tinka, survived but suffered serious injuries requiring antibiotic treatment, according to Tytti Koivusaari, owner of the stable in Tornio’s Kaakamo district. Two other mares in the same enclosure received minor injuries.

Koivusaari was in Oulu when she received a video call from one of the horse’s owners, who discovered the animal’s mangled hindquarters while removing its blanket. “The entire backside was torn up,” she said. Lynx sightings had previously been reported near the stable, making the culprit easy to identify.

The horses have remained relatively calm since the attack but appear fearful of the forest at dusk. Koivusaari spent the first night guarding the enclosure in case the lynx returned.

Unusual behavior linked to growing lynx population
Experts consider the attack highly unusual. “It doesn’t sound typical for a lynx to go after a horse. I’d assume it knows its limits,” said Esa Kurtti, executive director of Tornio’s wildlife management association. Local reports suggest up to ten lynxes, possibly with cubs, may be roaming the Kemi-Tornio region, where sightings have increased this spring.

Finland’s lynx population is at record highs, according to the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke). As territories fill, younger lynxes move closer to human settlements, adapting their behavior, said researcher Annika Herrero. While horses are not natural prey, Herrero speculated the lynx may have misjudged the horse’s size—perhaps mistaking it for a smaller animal—or overestimated its own hunting ability.

High threshold for culling problem animals
Police decide whether to remove dangerous wildlife near human areas, prioritizing deterrence over lethal measures. For property damage, including livestock attacks, the bar for culling is higher, said Mika Lauri, Lapland Police’s supervision chief.

“Even if a predator kills a few sheep or poultry, the first step is usually a relocation order,” Lauri explained. Koivusaari has reported the incident to police and local wildlife authorities, who stated they would intervene only if the lynx threatens humans.

“I don’t think wild animals need to live this close to settlements,” Koivusaari said. “I hope something is done about it.”