Thanks to intensive nature conservation endeavours, animals that were once seen as being close to extinction, have returned to the great lakes, rivers, moors and forests of Northern Germany. Until the beginning of the 20th century, the sea eagle was practically extinct. Today, several pairs have been seen at most of Northern Germany's major lakes. Same can be said of the osprey. But even today, minks and beavers are still extremely difficult to find near Northern Germany's inshore waters. However, one hunter has almost become native to the great forests of Northern Germany: the lynx. Thanks to an evacuation project, the big cat, at one time almost completely eradicated in Western Europe, now once again roams the Harz region of Germany.