‘Lynxing’ in Montes de Toledo

Two days spent at the El Castañar estate, ‘ground zero’ for the Iberian lynx reintroduction in Castilla-La Mancha, proving how the feline’s conservation is compatible with traditional customs such as hunting, livestock breeding and agriculture

The main thing is to believe it, to be convinced. To assume without question that the recovery of a species such as the lynx or the imperial eagle can and should coexist with activities such as hunting, livestock breeding, agriculture or tourism. And the truth is that there is no other solution. Ownership structure in Spain, where 45% of the territory is private (a lower percentage than in the southern half), leaves few alternatives. Luckily, there are families who put their estates in service of biodiversity conservation programs such as Iberlince, and hopefully this will become the norm. This is the case of El Castañar (Mazarambroz, Toledo, 5,900 hectares), one of the most important large-scale hunting estates in Europe. I’ve come to see it with my own eyes...

Full story at: lospiesenlatierra.laverdad.es