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CBD-Habitat raises the importance of the development of this project in order to consolidate the recovery of the species in the Iberian Peninsula due to the need to look for new areas suitable for the creation of future populations, as was proposed at the LIFE Eurolarge Carnivores WWF technical conference (Madrid, 2019).

In line with the above, within the framework of the project, the necessary aspects for the possible settlement or not of the Iberian lynx populations will be assessed. This fact will depend on variables such as the abundance in the area of species such as rabbits, the adequacy of the habitat, epidemiological studies and the study of the social perception of the main actors involved in the territory. This last variable is of utmost importance according to the entity, because without such approval the possible reintroduction of the species would be very complicated.

The main objective of the project is to carry out an assessment of the viability of the Iberian lynx habitat with a view to possible new reintroductions of the species in areas of Catalonia and Aragon, according to the protocols for the selection of reintroduction areas, and in a scenario of recovery of the historical distribution of the Iberian lynx.

Some of the actions planned within the framework of the project are:

• The survey is based on the study areas, which belong to the Natura 2000 Network of Catalonia and Aragon, which offer ideal places with an abundance of prey such as rabbits, refuges such as rocks and scrub and a structure of Mediterranean forest vegetation.

With this study and comparison of inter-community results, it will be possible to assess the possibilities of contributing to the creation of a corridor for wildlife, which allows the movement and exchange of individuals between populations, ensuring the continuity of many species.

Likewise, this corridor will contribute to reducing biological risks, such as the proliferation of new emerging and zoonotic diseases.

• On the other hand, an epidemiological study will be carried out to allow the knowledge of the reservoir of pathogens that can affect the potential populations of Iberian lynx, sympathetic fauna and other carnivores, through new diagnostic technologies.
• Local awareness work will also be carried out, which will be carried out to facilitate an adequate coexistence between the local population and wildlife.
• In addition, different training sessions will be held aimed at instruction in evaluation protocols and preparation of lynx reintroductions in Spain and Portugal for different social actors.