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Articles in ‘Iberian lynx’
February 3rd, 2010
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.
Andalucia, Iberian lynx, Mammals | |
December 17th, 2009

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.
Andalucia, Iberian lynx | Tags: Cordoba, Guadalmellato, Iberian lynx in Cordoba, Lynx pardinus|
December 4th, 2009

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
Andalucia, Iberian lynx, Mammals, Portugal | Tags: Algarve wildlife, Conservation in Portugal, Iberian lynx in 2009, Iberian lynx in Portugal, Iberian lynx in the Algarve, latest Iberian lynx numbers, Lynx in Algarve, Portuguese lynx, Silves|
October 28th, 2009

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.
Iberian lynx, Portugal | Tags: Iberian lynx in Portugal|
October 24th, 2009

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
Iberian lynx, Portugal | Tags: Guadalmellato, Guarrizas, Iberian lynx in Portugal, Mammals of Portugal, Wildlife of Portugal|
September 29th, 2009
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
Andalucia, Iberian lynx, Mammals | |
September 20th, 2009
Scientists have developed a model to identify the agricultural areas with the greatest potential for restoring the habitat of the Iberian lynx. A study by The Instituto de Investigación y Formación Agraria y Pesquera looked at the impact and risk of mountain olive groves being abandoned, in order to come up with an appropriate management system for them (conventional, mixed or organic), or to suggest they should be reconverted to Mediterranean forest.
El Mundo and
here.
Andalucia, Iberian lynx | Tags: Iberian lynx in olive groves|
August 7th, 2009
According to the latest survey there are now 150 lynxes in the Sierra Morena in Andújar and Cardeña-Montoro.With the 50 in Doñana this brings the total population up to 200 animals, a remarkable increase form the 100-120 nadir of 2002.
Ideal Digital
See also
Spain to cede 20 lynxes to Portugal (El Mundo)
Andalucia, Iberian lynx, Mammals | Tags: Iberian lynx in 2009, Iberian lynx in Portugal, latest Iberian lynx numbers|
June 7th, 2009
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
Andalucia, Iberian lynx, On Spain, Portugal | Tags: Cordoba, Guadalmellato, Guarrizas, Hornachuelos, Iberian lynx and tourism, Iberian lynx in Portugal|
June 2nd, 2009

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.
Andalucia, Iberian lynx, Mammals | Tags: Iberian lynx in 2009, lynx in Cáceres, Zarza de Granadilla|
April 17th, 2009

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.
Andalucia, Iberian lynx, Mammals | Tags: Iberian lynx in 2009|
April 16th, 2009
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
Andalucia, Iberian lynx, On Spain, Sierra Morena, photography | Tags: lynx on private ranch, photographing Iberian lynx in the wild, Sierra de Andújar|
March 29th, 2009

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.
Andalucia, Iberian lynx, Mammals | Tags: Elfo, elfo lince, grandcub|
February 27th, 2009

Caribú, the lynx from the Sierra Morena which was released in Doñana in November 2008 with the aim of increasing the genetic variability there, has travelled almost 200km in three months. There is no evidence that it has mated yet as it is a sub-adult.
El Mundo
Andalucia, Doñana, Iberian lynx, Mammals | |
December 18th, 2008

Dan Ward has sent me his latest Lynx Brief, the essential periodic review in English of the state of the Iberian Lynx.
This issue looks at, among other topics, the international Iberian lynx seminar, current Iberian lynx numbers, plans for Iberian lynx reintroductions, inappropriate predator control, declines in wild rabbits and transparency of information in Castilla -La Mancha.
Some highlights which I have cropped from the original:
- On lynx numbers As reported at the III International Seminar, Iberian Lynx recovery has continued well in the Sierra Morena area just north of Andújar, Andalucía, with 40 breeding females, 55 cubs born in 2008 and 150 individuals overall. This compares with 18 females, 22 cubs and 60 individuals in 2002….As a result of this increase, the lynx area in Andújar-Cardeña has probably reached its carrying capacity and thus could provide animals for future reintroductions elsewhere. This is an unexpected, welcome and important achievement, not least because it is generally preferable to reintroduce felines bred in the wild rather than those bred in captivity (if possible) because they are more likely to be fully adapted to living in the wild.
- In addition to these in situ achievements in the Sierra Morena, the ex situ captive breeding programme has also progressed well, with 52 individuals, 24 of which were bred in captivity.
Moreover, the ex situ population will also be able to provide 20 to 40 individuals per year for reintroductions, from 2010. Finally, in Doñana, the lynx population seems to have remained steady in recent years, with around 50 individuals reported in total each year between 2002 and 2008. This is despite the loss of at least 9 individuals to Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) in 2007, thanks partly to the successful translocation of a breeding male lynx from Andújar-Cardeña to Doñana in December 2007
(see LynxBrief no. 10 and 11). Moreover, a second lynx was successfully translocated into Doñana in November 2008.
- On predator control Much of Spain and Portugal is used extensively for hunting, and this is especially true of current and potential lynx areas; e.g. 70% of Spain is covered by hunting estates (used by over 1 million registered hunters), and the majority of lynx living in the wild are situated in such estates. Moreover, techniques used by gamekeepers and landowners to kill, especially, rabbit and partridge predators have been strongly implicated in the past decline of the Iberian Lynx, and the on-going decline of many other species. For example, it is suspected that the 1990s extinction of the lynx population in Montes de Toledo, central Spain (where good habitat and rabbit populations remain) was due to the widespread use of leg traps and snares in the area.
- On rabbits and lynx One of the key obstacles to reversing rabbit decline has been that rabbits, and rabbit conservation, in Spain and Portugal have not been given the profile and attention they deserve….Fortunately, this situation has recently changed. In Portugal in 2006, national authorities re-classified the European Rabbit as “Near Threatened”, and in Spain in 2007, the species was re-classified by national authorities as “Vulnerable”. Moreover, the World Conservation Union (IUCN) has also, just this year, re-classified the European Rabbit globally in its native range (Spain, Portugal and parts of north Africa) from “Least Concern” to “Near Threatened”.
- Castilla – La Mancha and transparency a lack of transparency of information has also been a key obstacle to Iberian Lynx conservation in recent years. A very current example, discussed at the International Seminar, was the presence of lynx in Castilla – La Mancha….The Castilla – La Mancha authorities have argued that they cannot release the location of their lynx because they fear attracting too many nature watchers to these areas. However, the precise location of lynx in Andalucía has been widely publicised for many years without a detrimental impact from the public….It has been alleged that the real reason that the Castilla – La Mancha government do not want to publicise the location of their lynx is actually because they are reluctant to share knowledge (and thus power), or because of a fear on the part of landowners that public knowledge of lynx presence will increase pressure for restrictions on the current use of predator control methods. Moreover, it has also been alleged that at least one of the locations of lynx in Castilla – La Mancha is a large estate bordering Andalucía, owned by a British Lord, who allegedly has considerable influence over local authorities.
Read the Lynx Brief 12
Photo from the Iberian lynx recovery programme.
Andalucia, Asturias, Castilla_La Mancha, Doñana, Iberian lynx, Mammals, Sierra Morena | Tags: Andujar, British landowners in Spain, Cardeña, Dan Ward, latest Iberian lynx numbers, Lynx Brief, lynx on hunting estates, lynx translocation, lynxbrief, predator control, rabbits, status of rabbits in Spain|