Iberian lynx reintroduction plan in Andalusia

Mammalia, 2020

The creation of new populations through reintroductions in their former range is still necessary for the long-term conservation of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). A large-scale assessment of habitat suitability is a necessary prerequisite for evaluating the possibility of carrying out lynx reintroductions. We modelled habitat suitability for the Iberian lynx in the Iberian Peninsula using MaxEnt. Lynx presence data for 2010–2013 from Andujar-Cardeña and Doñana populations were used. Habitat variables were quantified using the CORINE Land Cover. This habitat suitability model predicted an environmentally suitable area of 87,747 km2, which represents 14.08% of the whole Iberian Peninsula. Of the total suitable habitat identified, 45% is located in a large continuous area in the south-western quadrant coinciding with the historical range of the species in the mid-20th century. However, there are also relevant patches mainly in the north-eastern quadrant. About 55% of the potential ar...

2005

A team of biologists and field assistants conducted, between January 2002 and May 2003, a survey on the status of the Iberian lynx in Portugal. The survey was performed on previously identified lynx areas, during studies carried out in the 1970-s and 1990-s Intensive search for lynx scats, for DNA analysis, and camera trapping provided a basis for identifying potential lynx areas. Over 4200 km were covered during a global searching effort of 1975 man-hours. This effort resulted in the collection of 168 potential scats that were submitted to genetic validation with no positive lynx amplifications. Camera trapping was applied in a total effort of 5647 camera days, in three lynx potential areas. No positive detections were achieved. At the same time, a study on wild rabbit distribution reveals that most historical nuclei do not support lynx viable populations. Although we can not confirm extinction, the scenario is highly pessimistic. The Iberian lynx is presently in the verge of extinction. Intensive rabbit regression and massive habitat destruction are identified as the main causes of decline in recent decades. In the Portuguese lynx historical range, we could only identify significant areas suitable for lynx in the South-eastern part of the country, particularly in the Andalusian border, where we lack on recent evidence of lynx presence. Being aware of the considerable difficulties pointed above, the ICN developed a Conservation Action Plan for the Iberian lynx in order to provide a consistent and effective approach to conserve the species in Portuguese territory. This proposal describes guidance that retains future options, provides management consistent, offers necessary flexibility, in order to achieve the maximum goal of conserving the lynx in Portugal. Conservation measures have the goal of provide guiding lines for conservations agents in order to conduct actions that can positively affect lynx and/or to help avoid negative impacts through thoughtful planning of activities. The proposal of Action Plan will be applied in all the areas located in the lynx historical distribution geographic area, that present suitable characteristics for the species presence or landscape features that can be optimize for lynx survival and that can be relevant for the species life-cycle, independently of their protection status. The goal of this plan is to apply pre-release strategic reintroduction activities to make possible, in a long-term, the reintroduction of Iberian lynx, in order to assure the viability of the species, as a fundamental element of Mediterranean ecosystems. For achieving this goal it will be necessary to establish a suitable connection between ex-situ and in-situ actions.

Conservación Ex situ …, 2009

Conservación de las poblaciones silvestres de lince ibérico (Lynx pardinus) en Andalucía mIguel a. sImón, raFael cadenas, José maría gIl-sánchez, marcos lópez-parra, José garcía, leonardo Fernández, gema ruIz and guIllermo lópez Resumen A finales del siglo XX se comprobó que el estado de conservación del lince ibérico era extremadamente crítico, cuando solo permanecían en la naturaleza alrededor de 150 individuos en dos poblaciones aisladas, Doñana y Sierra Morena oriental, ambas en Andalucía. La Junta de Andalucía, en colaboración con algunos socios, adoptó diferentes medidas de conservación que recibieron apoyo de la Unión Europea en forma de dos proyectos LIFE de conservación. Estos proyectos han sido esenciales para evitar la posible extinción de la especie en la naturaleza y para estabilizar ambas poblaciones silvestres. En la actualidad, los esfuerzos de la conservación in situ se están centrando en los siguientes objetivos: 1) Mantener y expandir las dos poblaciones existentes; 2) crear nuevos núcleos poblacionales -siguiendo los criterios de la IUcn para las reintroducciones; 3) Maximizar la variabilidad genética mediante la "conexión genética" de ambas poblaciones; 4) continuar promoviendo el apoyo local, nacional e internacional para garantizar la recuperación de esta especie gravemente amenazada. Hoy, la población de Sierra Morena continúa creciendo anualmente (tanto numéricamente como en superficie). De hecho, el número de individuos adultos (más de un año de edad) se ha incrementado desde los 38 registrados en 2001 hasta los 95 en 2008. La población de Doñana permanece estable, y se está llevando a cabo un programa de reforzamiento (principalmente genético, pero también demográfico). Los esfuerzos en la conservación in situ se están centrando también en la recuperación de nuevos núcleos poblacionales mediante programas de reintroducción. Los trabajos de preparación se están llevando a cabo desde 2005 y las primeras sueltas están programadas para el 2009.

Journal of Ethology, 2019

Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) reintroductions are part of this species' conservation program to ensure its re-establishment and survival in areas of historical presence. Release protocols include hard-release, directly in the field, and soft-release, allowing reintroduced animals to acclimatize to the new environment site, which may lead to higher survival and reproductive rates. During soft-release reintroductions in Extremadura (Spain), we recorded individual and social behaviors of four released Iberian lynxes in a 1.5-ha enclosure, divided into three longitudinal strips to simplify behavioral data collection: zone 1, or releasing area, containing an additional feeding point; zone 2, or central zone, with rocks and natural rabbit refuges; and zone 3, or the farthest zone from the releasing area, of abundant arboreal vegetation. Our results showed that "pacing", "lying" and "patrolling" were the most common behaviors observed in the four lynxes. Social interactions such as "approach", and "lordosis" were the most common and indicated significant differences between individuals. Concerning sexes, males exhibited the behavior "showing indifference," unlike females that never presented it. Data collected revealed that the lynx had a preference for zone 3 of the enclosure. Pre-release behavior monitoring is critical I n Iberian lynx softrelease reintroductions in order to ensure their acclimatization to the new site, identify their survival skills and allow their establishment in the reintroduction areas.

Oryx, 2012

Over the last 20 years surveys of the population of the Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus in Doñana National Park and its surroundings in Spain have produced estimates of a total population of 50–60 in fragmented patches. The population was estimated to be 26 adults in 2002–2003. Use of camera trapping and other field methods during 2004–2008 allowed us to determine the abundance of the lynx and to estimate demographic statistics. Estimated annual abundance of adult and subadult lynxes averaged 38 individuals (range 35–43). Although the population exhibited a continuous distribution it was concentrated in three major areas, including Doñana National Park, with an average area occupied of 620 km2. Our results suggest that the Doñana Iberian lynx population now has a different structure from that in the 1990s and in particular a more continuous spatial distribution. These results indicate an improved, but not secure, scenario for the population. The continuous geographical distribution sugge...