Meeting with Associations of Hunters of Castellar of Santiago

Convened by the City Council of Castellar de Santiago, coordinated by its Popular University and FOMECAM technicians, a dozen representatives of the municipality's preserve, including owners, hunters and farmers of that locality participated dynamically in a meeting under the framework Of the Life + IBERLINCE project.

This activity was presented to collect the impressions of these groups on the development of the reintroduction project of the Iberian lynx in the region. At the same time, the latest developments regarding the reproduction of the species in the Autonomous Community, as well as the work to improve habitat and increase rabbit populations in areas of lynx reintroduction were reported.

From the hunters' group, there was great concern about the continued decline of rabbit and partridge populations in the area. This decline is attributed from a large extent to a disproportionate increase in predator populations, including fox and “meloncillo” as major exponents. Parallel to these impressions, those attending the meeting are aware that the viral hemorrhagic disease of the rabbit is greatly reducing its effectiveness and wish that a solution to the problem is soon found.

On the other hand, representatives of one of the preserves of the municipality, showed great interest for the actions of habitat improvement that are carried out under the framework of the Life project. This was formalized on the site at a future meeting to consider the possibility of including some of the bounded areas, within a collaboration agreement for the promotion of rabbit populations.

During the meeting, there were debates on some claims of the hunting sector, control of predation, aid by the administration, limitations associated with the presence of Iberian lynx and many other topics that gave rise to an atmosphere of debate and discussion to finally find common ground to collaborate with. In general, the project is well received in the region.

To clarify and deny many information about the actions carried out by the project, the limitations on the use of resources and the compatibility of hunting activities with the presence of lynx were other topics discussed during the meeting. Finally, the day concluded with an atmosphere of understanding and collaboration for the good of small game and the presence of Iberian lynx, as a guarantor of a well-balanced ecosystem.

An approach that closed the exhibition "Territorios de Lince", shows a graphic of the project Life+IBERLINCE, which has been in the Cultural Center of Castellar de Santiago since the 3rd of this month of November.

We appreciate the collaboration of the local government facilitating the work of coordination with different groups: representatives of hunters and farmers, with whom we work hand in hand for the protection of the Iberian Lynx.