The Life+IBERLINCE project has generated more than 61,619 days in the Andalusian lynx areas since its start in 2011

This initiative, which involves 25 partners, is coordinated and led by the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning.

The Life+IBERLINCE project for the "Recovery of the historical distribution of the Iberian lynx (Lyxn pardinus) in Spain and Portugal", coordinated and led by the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning of the Regional Government of Andalusia, has generated in the community More than 61,619 casual and 70 fixed jobs since its start in 2011. These data confirm that the conservation of this feline constitutes an important source of wealth and employment not only for Andalusia but also for Portugal and the autonomous communities participating in the project (Extremadura, Murcia and Castilla-La Mancha).

It should be remembered that the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning tendered in 2016 in the Andalusian region actions to improve the habitat of the Iberian lynx for 1.4 million euros, generating more than 52,800 possible wages in the areas of Doñana, Andújar, Guarrizas, Gualdalmellato and Cardeña. With these actions, which included scrub clearing, sowing and fertilization, the aim is to increase rabbit populations and maintain the current populations of Iberian lynx, furthering their territorial expansion.

To these figures must be added a total of 8,819 wages from different actions linked to this project of conservation and restoration of the Iberian lynx in the last year, consisting of improvements in habitat and field work, and an added investment of 1.2 million of euros in the Andalusian lynx areas, which has undoubtedly affected the economy of the region.

Each of the actions of this conservation project, which started in 2011, has been aimed at the protection and reintroduction of the Iberian lynx, and in parallel to generate positive economic impacts in the areas where the project is present. These impacts translate into direct and indirect jobs, active for local businesses (creation of rural small businesses associated with gastronomy, nature photography or hiking) and, of course, benefits for the tourism sector.

On the other hand, it should be noted that the previous Life project, "Conservation and reintroduction of the Iberian Lynx in Andalusia", developed between 2006 and 2011, created 31 permanent jobs, among veterinarians, biologists and biodiversity auxiliaries, and generated a total Of 29,740 wages in the areas of Sierra Morena and Doñana-Aljarafe (provinces of Huelva, Córdoba and Jaén), areas where the economic impact of this project has been considerable. To these figures must be added the tender by means of public tender of a total of 6,816,063 euros, amount that was awarded mostly to small and medium enterprises. With the current project these benefits have been extended to Portugal and the regions where it is working.

The Life+IBERLINCE project involves more than 25 partners, including the National Parks Authority, Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Environment of Portugal and the Autonomous Governments of Andalusia, Castilla La Mancha, Murcia and Extremadura, Infrastructures De Portugal SA, Development and Infrastructure Company of Alqueva, SA And Moura Municipal Council, as well as companies (Fomecam, Agroforex, Acajú), associations and non-governmental organizations (Andalusian Hunting Federation, Aproca, SECEM, Adenex, WWF-Spain, CBD-Hábitat Foundation, Iberlinx Association).