Today, Portugal is going to release, two more Iberian lynx

The Nature and Forestry Conservation Institute – ICNF, is going to release two more Iberian Lynx in the Natural Park “Vale do Guadiana”, continuing the reintroduction process of the species in Portugal, started in December within the Project LIFE + Iberlince.

At the moment, the Iberian Lynx Loro and Liberdade, are those who will take place on the fenced area of Mértola. Loro is a male coming from the reproduction center in captivity “El Acebuche”, born in 2014, and Liberdade is a female descendant of Artemisa and Fresco, born in the captivity reproduction center in Silves, on March 18, 2014. Both animals will be released following the process of soft release to enhance the adaptation and fixation, such as with the previous animals.

The name “Liberdade” was a choice of the resident population of Mértola, through an open vote by ICNF to entities such as schools and councils. The specimens born in last year belong to the cohort that follows the letter "L", and they must take names of locations, natural or symbolic elements.

The release of Iberian lynx in the Municipality of Mértola is the result of close collaboration and
conjunction with Spain and the important collaboration with local partners. This process does not
provide for any restrictions or limitations to agricultural activities, forestry, tourism or hunting.

Once again, the exchange of individuals between the Iberian lynx populations of Andújar - Cardeña and Guadalmellato, and the real possibility of connecting both cores, is confirmed.