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Articles in ‘Portugal’
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|
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|
March 11th, 2009
Portuguese environmentalists have denounced the deliberate shooting of the country’s only nesting male Iberian Imperial eagle.The incident took place in February in the Vale do Guadiana natural park, close to the country’s southeastern border with Spain.
Miguel Rodrigues, spokesperson for SOS Lynx, said, “Irrational attitudes constitute one of the main barriers to predator conservation in Spain and Portugal. If predator persecution cannot be adequately controlled, the future recovery of many important predator species will be in doubt.” The species was once widespread across the Iberian Peninsula, but is now confined to small parts of central and southern Spain, and areas close to the Spanish border in Portugal.
Dan Ward on his new lynxblog comments on this shooting that:
“Irrational attitudes constitute one of the main barriers to predator conservation in Spain and Portugal, and if predator persecution cannot be adequately controlled, the future recovery of many important predator species will be in doubt”.
The Spanish (or Iberian) imperial eagle is one of the three rarest birds of prey in the world. Spain currently (2007) is home to all 234 pairs of imperial eagles, with a slight rise in recent years (see news archive on iberianature.
Portugal, Spanish imperial eagle, birds | Tags: Dan Ward, imperial eagle in Portugal, predator conservation in Spain, Vale do Guadiana natural park|
December 4th, 2008
The record for electricity production from wind power was beaten again on 24th November at around 0500am when around 43% of power in Spain (9,253 MW) was covered. By the end of the year wind power will have covered 11% of Spain’s needs. Spain is the third-largest generator of wind power in the world, with about 16,000 MW of installed capacity with plans for 20,000 MW by 2010.
Juan López de Uralde in El Mundo
And on the topic of wind energy, the largest onshore wind farm in Europe started producing power yesterday today in northern Portugal. The farm is to provide enough electricity for up to a million people. A total of 120 windmills are dotted across the highlands of the Upper Minho region of Portugal which continues to forge its reputation as a renewables champion.
The Guardian
On Spain, Portugal, Renewable energy in Spain | Tags: Largest onshore wind farm in Europe, record wind power production, Upper Minho, wind power in Portugal|
September 27th, 2008
The Pelamis wave farm has just been officially launched after a delay of more than a year. Pelamis takes its name from an ancient word for sea snake, as the machines could be described as giant metal snakes floating in the water. At full production they will be able to generate enough power for 1,500 homes, with 25 more machines set to be installed in Portugal.
“In addition to this flagship wave power, the Portuguese are investing heavily in other renewable technologies. They are already spending £250m on more than 2,500 solar photovoltaic panels to build the world’s largest solar farm near the small town of Moura in eastern Portugal. It will have twice the collecting area of London’s Hyde Park and supply 45MW of electricity each year, enough to power 30,000 homes. In the past three years, the country has also trebled its hydroelectric capacity and quadrupled its wind power sources – northern Portugal has the world’s biggest wind farm with more than 130 turbines and a factory that builds the 40m-long blades. Pinho wants Portugal to rival Denmark or Japan in its commitment to developing renewables industries – he predicts his country will generate 31% of all its primary energy from clean sources by 2020, compared with Britain’s target of 15%. The Portuguese target means increasing the generation of electricity from renewable sources from 42% in 2005 to 60% in 2020.”
On Spain, Portugal, Renewable energy in Spain | Tags: Pelamis, renewable enery in Portugal, sea energy|
June 14th, 2008
Work has begun on the first Iberian lynx breeding centre in Portugal, in Silves in the Algarve. When completed, the centre will have room for 16 Iberian Lynxes (lince-ibérico in Portuguese, note the hyphen) , donated by the Acebeche breeding centre in Doñana. According to these news articles, Doñana now has six young lynx available for transfer. Público (Portugues) Portugal Resident (English)
Iberian lynx, On Spain, Portugal | Tags: Iberian lynx in Portugal, Iberian lynx in the Algarve, Silves lynx breeding centre|
February 22nd, 2008
Article here from the BBC on the plans in Portugal for renewable energy. The government wants 45% of the country’s electricity to come from renewables such as wind, hydro, and solar by 2010. “This challenge will create a new industrial revolution,” said Portugal’s economy minister. Amongst the projects under way in Portugal is building of the the world’s biggest solar power farm here below in Moura.
On Spain, Portugal, Renewable energy in Spain | Tags: Portugal, Renewable energy|
September 2nd, 2007
Spain is to “cede” several pairs of Iberian lynx in 2009 born in the captive breeding programme in Doñana (11 cubs raised over last 2 years) , to Portugal where, according to El Pais, the species is in the “critical stage of pre-extintion” (most experts say it is in fact extinct). A new breeding centre is to be built in Silves (Algarve)
The plan is reintroduce the lynx by 2011 in four areas of Portugal (sierras de Malcata, Nisa y San Mamede, Valle del Guadiana, Odemira y Valle del Sado) where it became extinct at some point in the late 1990s after the decimation of rabbit populations through virus and fire. The last Portuguese lynx was last detected in 2003 by DNA analysis of faeces in the Valle del Guadiana. El Pais
Iberian lynx, Mammals, Portugal | |
July 24th, 2007
The 1755 Lisbon earthquake took place on 1st November 1755. Estimated by modern geologists as approaching magnitude 9 on the Richter Scale, it is one of the most destructive and deadly earthquakes in history, possibly killing between 60,000 and 100,000 people. Another 10 000 were killed in Morocco, along with large numbers living on the coast of Andalucia. The quake was followed by a tsunami which rushed up engulfed the harbour and rushed up the Tagus and a fire, resulting in the almost-total destruction of Lisbon and profoundly disrupting the country’s eighteenth-century colonial ambitions.
The event was widely discussed by European Enlightenment philosophers, and inspired major developments in thinking, and also signalled the birth of modern seismology.
Lisbon in flames with a tsunami overwhelming the ships in the harbor (1755 engraving)
1755 Lisbon earthquake
1755 German copperplate image, “The Ruins of Lisbon. Survivors camp in a (rather fanciful) tent city outside the city of Lisbon, following the November 1, 1755 earthquake. The image shows criminal activity and general mayhem, as well as the hanging of quake survivors under constabulary supervision. Priests are present, one holding a crucifix, one possibly a prayer book, so appear to be giving last rites to persons being hanged. ” Wikipedia
See also
Tsunamis in Spain
earthquakes in Spain
Iberian earthquakes, Natural disasters, Portugal, history | |
July 24th, 2007
The highest temperature ever recorded in Portugal was in 2003 with a record of 47.3 °C in Amareleja. This was part of the famed heat wave to hit Europe. Specifically in Portugal there were extensive forest fires with 5% percent of the countryside and 10% percent of the forests being destroyed, an estimated 4,000 km². Eighteen people died in the fires. More on the 2003 European heat wave from wikipedia
Source Els Temps de Pico and here
Some interesting environmentally aware holidays in Portugal here at wildside holidays
Climate, Portugal | |
The rainfall records for Spain keep tumbling. According to the latest provisional figures 
I’ve just come across 
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.