The Iberian lynx back to occupy their territories in Castilla-La Mancha

03/07/2014

The beneficiaries of LIFE + Iberlince project share with Castilla-La Mancha the joy of the first releases of Iberian lynx, which marks the return of the species in danger of extinction to this community, after more than three decades of absence. We congratulate all, who have participated in this work, helped and shared the good and bad times these years.

The Iberian lynx advances to conquer new territories in Castilla-La Mancha, where populations should be introduced after the release on Wednesday in the eastern area of the Serra Morena three specimens of the eight that were reintroduced to strengthen its presence in the area.
The release of the first specimens of lynx occurred on the property "Navarredonda" at the end of the municipality of Almuradiel where Kaplan, Kairos and Kiowa, two males and one female, begin their adaptation.
The first release of Iberian lynx in the territory castellano-manchego was attended by María Dolores de Cospedal, president of the Castilla-La Mancha community. Everything was possible thanks to the LIFE + Iberlince project that is coordinating the strategy of conservation of the Iberian lynx in Spain and Portugal to regain its historical range.
The release was also attended by the General Secretary of Andaluzia Integral Management of the Environment and Water, Carmen Lloret, as well as representatives from some of the other beneficiaries of the project (WWF, CBD-Habitat, mahogany APROCA).
Miguel Ángel Simón, director of Iberlince project, have said and assured today to “Efe” that Castilla-La Mancha will play an important role in the future of lynx but showed that from now on, begins a new stage of work that goes for scoring lynx to remain in the released area.
Selecting this reintroduction area, will have had an important role due to the fact that this territory is a zone of natural expansion of the Iberian lynx, which was occupied in recent months, naturally, for specimens coming from the Guarrizas area of reintroducing, in Jaén. It is clear the positive results of the experience of previous projects since 2002; starting date of Iberian lynx conservation programs, having been triplicates the population of Andalusia, from 94 to 332 specimens in 2013.

The collaboration of the owners of the properties and hunting grounds is essential to ensure the future of the Iberian lynx in the area and therefore the LIFE + Iberlince project continues to perform collaboration agreements, enabling the survival of the Iberian lynx and other species associated with Mediterranean forest.