Reintroduction of Lince-Iberian 2017 in Portugal

On March 1, two Iberian lynxes were released in the Iberian Lynx Restoration Area in Spain and Portugal (LIFE+ 10/NAT/ES/000570 - Iberlince).

Neves the female, whose name was chosen by students of the Mértola Kindergarten and Pre-School, was born in the Center of Iberian Lynx Cubs of La Olivilla, on April 3, 2016.

The male, Nerium, was born in the Center of Iberian Lynx Cubs of El Acebuche, on February 24, 2016.
This is a further step towards the establishment of a wild and viable population in a geographic area that has already been part of its historical distribution area, thus returning to the age-old coexistence with humans.

For the Iberian lynx, a viable population will be reached when about 50 females are stabilized in the territory, which is expected to continue with this second phase of the reintroduction process.

The liberation of Iberian lynxes in the municipality of Mértola is the result of close collaboration and articulation with Spain and is made possible by an important collaboration with local partners. This process does not provide for any restrictions or limitations on agricultural, forestry, tourism and hunting activities.

In the release of Neves and Nerium, the ICNF had the collaboration of the managing entity of the Tourist Hunting Zone of Serra de Fevereiro, in the municipality of Mértola, where said release took place.

Video: https://youtu.be/-Iwr5tzoM5s