LIFE Lynx

LIFE

The European Commission approved the LIFE project “Conservation and reintroduction of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) in Andalusia”, for the period 2006-2011, in view of the critical situation of this feline, the most endangered in the world according to the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

Due to the continued decline in the population of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), a species classified as “endangered”, in 1999 the National Commission for the Protection of Nature (Ministry of the Environment) approved the National Strategy for the Conservation of the species, which establishes the strategic lines and objectives for its conservation.

The lynx specimens that survive today are mainly located in two population centers: Doñana and Montes de Toledo-Sierra Morena. This project promotes actions for the conservation of the species in the Sierra Morena area and in collaboration with farm owners.

The objectives that the project aims to achieve are the following:

Increase and maintain the populations of wild rabbit, the feline’s main prey.
To reach agreements with the owners of the estates to make compatible, the management of the habitat, the conservation of the species and the hunting activity.
To increase and conserve the natural values of the Mediterranean forest.
To increase the size of Iberian lynx populations to ensure their long-term viability.
Maximise and promote the connection between isolated populations.
Maintain and encourage traditional uses and encourage the development of new alternative uses of Mediterranean forest and scrub.
To improve the perception of the role of the species in the rural environment where it is found.
To achieve coordination between Administrations in large-scale nature conservation programmes.