Iberian Lynx specimen released in Guarrizas (Jaén)

07/07/2014

María Jesús Serrano, Minister for the Environmental and Territorial Planning, took part in the release of an Iberian Lynx specimen at “Dehesa de las Yequas”, in a property of Ayuntamiento de Vilches (Jaén), on Guarrizas valley. The specimen, named Kot, is a male cub, born in Olivilla breeding center, located in Santa Elena municipality.

This action is included on LIFE+Iberlince European program “Recovery of Iberian Lynx Historic Distribution in Spain and Portugal” coordinated by the Andaluzia Minister for the Environmental and Territorial Planning. An initiative that aims to reach natural reproduction of the specimens and promote their fixation on this area.

With this release, the number of lynx reintroduced into the nature in the two chosen areas, Guarrizas and Guadalmellato, increases to sixteen. Both areas were chosen because of their habitat quality, rabbits large density, primary source of food for lynx, and the good social support of the project. It is also necessary to mention, the first releases on others Autonomous Communities like Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha, and the signature of a new collaboration agreement with Murcia region, which will be an associated beneficiary of the project.