Three Iberian lynx have been run over in the last month in Doñana, one of the worst figures for years. The latest animal was a male found dead on the road connecting Matalascañas with El Rocíos. He is thought to have been dispersing in search of new territories. Almost three lynxes a year (26 in total) have been killed since 2000…And three in a single month is an utter disater. Clearly the traffic signs aren’t sufficient. Crónica Verde
Three Iberian lynxes of the captive breeding programme have died in recent weeks from a renal disease. Lynxes in the wild are thought not to suffer from this disease. El País
Garfio, the Iberian lynx who was captured in 2003 and begat the first brood of lynx cubs to be bred in captivity, has died this week from a chronic renal infection at the age of ten. In all he sired 11 little lynxes. El País
Photo of Garfio in action from Lynxexsitu.es. Thanks to TP on the forum who I’ve paraphrased here.
An important step has been taken this week with the release into the wild of the first Iberian lynx bred in captivity. The two animals were set free in Guadalmellato, Cordoba in the Sierra Morena. Three more are to be released soon.
Photo from El Mundo of one of the released lynx as it bounds into the freedoms of the Cordoban hills.
The transfer of captive Iberian lynx from Spain to Portgual has been completed with the arrival of two males, bringing to a total of 16 animals (11 males and 5 females) at the new breeding centre in Silves in the Algarve.
According to the latest figures from the Andalucian government, there are now some 223 lynxes in the wild in Andalucia, 63 in Doñana and 160 in the Sierra Morena. This is remarkable increase from the low point of an estimated 120 animals in 2004 (42 in Doñana and 78 in Sierra Morena). This year 21 cubs were raised in Doñaña with a total of 16 female territories. As far I know, these total figures do not include the 15 odd animals recently discovered in Castilla-La Mancha.
As for the recent deaths of two female lynxes, it seems that a violent death has been ruled out in both cases. El País
As reported previously by iberianature, The first Iberian lynx has returned to Portugal after twenty years as part of the captive breeding programme. Watch video and report in Portuguese here with interview (in Spanish) with iberianatureforummer Iñigo Sanchez of Jerez Zoo, from where the female lynx, Azahar, was taken.
Twenty years after becoming extinct in Portugal, the Iberian lynx is to return to the country next week as part of the reintroduction programme. A female will be transferred to the new breeding centre in the village of Silves in Portugal. A total of 16 animals are to moved to the centre in the coming weeks. These animals will be used for captive breeding rather than for releases.
The first releases in the wild in Spain are now set for 2010 when 8-10 lynxes are to be released in Guadalmellato (Córdoba) and Guarrizas (Jaén). From 2011, between 20 and 40 individuals will be released a year. Público
Photo above from ex situ Iberian lynx conservation programme. Here
Here’s the latest lynx brief by Dan Ward. This edition includes news about the Iberian Lynx captive breeding programme, the use of poison in Spain, and proposals for lynx reintroductions “, it is hoped that proposed lynx reintroductions of between 20-40 individuals per year can begin in 2010. Essential reading. Here
See also Dan’s lynx blog
The Spanish government has agreed to “cede” (what a horrible word!) several lynxes to Portugal as part of the reintroduction programme. More, no doubt, on this soon.
EuropaPressAnd also in the areas earmarked for lynx reintroduction (Hornachuelos and Guadalmellato (Córdoba) and Guarrizas) Jaen), a questionnaire has found 68% of persons believe that the presence of the lynx in their counties will boost tourism.
Diario de Córdoba
The final numbers for the lynx captive breeding programme have been released in 2009. A record 18 lynx cubs have been born, 11 in El Acebuche and 7 in the new La Olivilla centre. There are now a remarkable 78 lynxes (36 born in the wild, 42 in captivity) in the programme, which is clearly on target for the first wild releases scheduled for 2010. The new centre at Zarza de Granadilla (Cáceres) is also to be built in the near future. El Mundo
Above photo is from the ex-situ website and is of Espliego one of last year’s cubs.
This year’s Iberian lynx captive breeding programme is going well. Here is a quick round-up the latest figures.
11 females have so far given birth to cubs . There are now 19 surviving cubs born this year, 17 of which are being raised by their mothers and 2 are in intensive care at El Acebuche. More detail here
On the negative side, I’d missed this bad news from Doñana in March reported on Dan Ward’s Lynxblog.
Theo, a seven year old female lynx, pregnant with two cubs, was killed by a motor vehicle on 13 March on a road between Algodonera and Laguna de San Lázaro, within the Doñana protected area. This incident follows a number of similar lynx deaths in the area in recent years, including just six months ago when a lynx was runover on the busy Almonte – Matalascañas road alongside the National Park. Moreover, Theo was killed on an agricultural road that had been recently re-surfaced and upgraded to allow traffic to drive much more quickly. Read complete article
The above photo is from the ex-situ website and is of one of last year’s cubs.
Some stunning photos here of Iberian lynx in the wild in the Sierra de Andújar by Pete Oxford, who notes “I set myself up, not with the eco-tourists, but instead, on a private ranch owned by the Junta of Andalucia – prime lynx habitat and the center of a scientific conservation effort organized by LIFE.”
Wild Wonders of Europe
El Pais has this interesting photo report on the successful Iberian lynx captive breeding programme in Acebuche, Doñana. In the photo, the lynxes are monitored 24 hours a day by a team of biologists.
And sorry but I couldn’t resist this one of Elfo at three weeks old, the first “grandcub” to be born in the programme. He was abandoned by his mother Brisa and has been raised by the captive breeding team.
Lucy’s nature blog britainnature Spain cultureWeather records in Spain in January
March 11, 2010
A number of weather records were smashed in Spain in January 2010. There will be more for February when they are published. More...
Laguna Negra and the Urbion Glacial Circuit Natural Park
March 10, 2010
The Natural Park Laguna Negra and the Urbion Glacial Circuit is to be declared Soria’s second Natural Park. The park will cover a total of 4617 hectares of land and include two villages (Vinuesa and Duruelo de la Sierra). The area includes the glacial lake of Laguna Negra, which inspired Antonio Machado, and also includes the source of the Duero. Soria’s other Natural Park in Soria is the Canyon Rio Lobos, which was declared in 1985. More on the forum
A blog about Burgos
March 10, 2010
I’ve just come across Memorias de Burgos, an excellent blog about the secret corners of the province with its abandoned villages and abbeys, oil fields and salt workings, forgotten history and stunning nature. Above photo Portillo de Canta el Gallo from the site.
It’s inspired me to add The Ayoluengo petrol field and Rioseco Abbey to the Places in Spain section.
Shrine to woman killed by wolves
March 8, 2010
New one for Places in Spain. A shrine to a woman supposedly devoured by wolves on Mt Gorbea in the Basque Country.
Three lynxes die from renal disease
March 8, 2010
Three Iberian lynxes of the captive breeding programme have died in recent weeks from a renal disease. Lynxes in the wild are thought not to suffer from this disease. El País
Rain in February in Spain
March 8, 2010
According to the INM, February was the wettest for 30 years in Spain. See also rain in Andalucia in February. This comes after a very wet January. March has begun with heavy rains and snowfalls. When will it end?
Interview about wolves
March 8, 2010
Radio interview on Canal Ser with Carlos Sanz, perhaps the biggest expert on wolves in Spain and livestock farmer Rodrigo Peñalosa, looking at both sides of the debate around wolves in Spain. Listen here.
Rain in Andalucia
March 6, 2010
The rains keep falling. Rainfall in Andalucia in February, after a very wet January, was THREE times as high as average in the last thirty years. Parts of Cadiz received more than 200mm. Recent records have been smashed across the region. More from El Periodico
See also Rainy Spain
Naturaleza Cántabrica